Fife’s newest distillery was officially launched last week, at an event attended by backers, media and local councillors.
InchDairnie Distillery was founded by managing director Ian Palmer, an industry veteran who has worked in whisky production for more than 30 years.
The new, state-of-the-art facility includes a mash filter, in place of a traditional mash tun, and a third still – a Lomond still – which will allow the firm to either triple distil or experiment with using the Lomond in place of the secondary still (or spirit still).
It is envisaged that the InchDairnie single malt will be released at between ten and 12 years old; in the meantime the distillery is generating revenue by selling new-make spirit to commercial partner Macduff International, an independent whisky blender and bottler. Macduff will also distribute the InchDairnie single malt when it is released.
“We’ve been very fortunate. What’s been very important is to get the funding structure absolutely right. Because it’s not just about building the distillery. It’s got to be funded beyond that. Beyond that is into the maturing stock and being able to keep it for 10 or 12 years and not be rushed into producing a four year-old and things like that.
“Our relationship with Macduff International means we’re able to do that, because it means that David and his team are able to buy the new fillings from me, so we’re getting money in very quickly to service Macduff International. That gives us very quick turnaround on the cost of production, and that is then giving us the wherewithal to lay down the stock of maturing whisky.”
