Benbecula Distillery Rolls into Whisky Production
The Benbecula Distillery has finally launched its whisky production following a substantive investment. A MacMillan, the distillery’s owner, stumbled upon the recipe in writings. They were written 130 years ago by 19th-century distillation historian Alfred Barnard. MacMillan also hired master distiller Brendan McCarron, who worked for Glenmorangie.
Besides being the manager at Oban Distillery, McCarron has also worked at Distell and Tobermory distilleries as a master distiller. The whisky is made with bere barley – grown on MacMillan’s croft and other nearby lands – local peat, and heather.
McCarron said: “The spirit produced at Benbecula will be classically maritime in style. Smoky on the nose, with salty and sweet peated notes.
Benbecula Distillery Launches Whisky Project
“This will be achieved using light- to medium-peated malted barley. So that the smoke does not dominate and allows fruity and floral notes to shine through.
“Each year a special batch of heather-peated bere barley will be produced, using a process that is both innovative and inspired by traditions of the island.”
The distillery will produce 350,000 liters of whisky a year and mature in Bourbon and Sherry casks. Benbecula will produce gin. The distillery’s plans were submitted in 2020 with a proposed outlay of £12.5 million (US$17.3 million).
Funding for the project came from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), a Scottish government agency that focuses on economic development and community development.
An imposing copper pot still occupies the roof of the distillery, which occupies a disused salmon farm processing plant. The glass-walled extension is reminiscent of a lighthouse on the island, according to MacMillan.
Benbecula Distillery Launches Whisky Project
He added: “After quite a journey over the past few years, it’s fantastic to see the first spirit flowing at Benbecula Distillery. There’s nowhere quite like Benbecula and we are proud to be able to play a part in sustaining our island, creating new, skilled jobs, and producing a single malt whisky that will capture the essence of this unique place.
“Brendan McCarron, one of the best-known names in modern distilling, has – we believe – created something very special, making the most of the good things Benbecula has to offer.
“Our malt will be kilned over fires that we lay with peat and foraged heather – a revival of a rare malting technique completely unique in Scotland today and from a recipe last used by distilleries such as Glen Ord and Highland Park in the 19th century.
“Brendan has adapted and developed this process to create a smooth, gentle smokiness and sweet floral character in our spirit. Under his guidance, we will also be creating a variety of flavor styles.”