THERE are plans to bolster the Campbeltown region’s whisky industry with the construction of a new distillery.
Campbeltown, once one of Scotland’s biggest whisky-producing regions, is currently home to just three distilleries: Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle.
But Glasgow-based independent blender and bottler Brave New Spirits is looking to change that with plans for a new distillery in nearby Machrihanish.
The new facility, at the decommissioned RAF base between Machrihanish and Campbletown Airport, would be named Witchburn Distillery. Created in a building formerly used by US Navy Seals, the distillery would be powered by 100% renewable energy sources and feature cutting-edge heat and energy recovery systems.
Brave New Spirits said the new distillery would create 30 new jobs in production, warehousing and distribution, as well as within a visitor centre.
It will be designed by Organic Architects, which has previously worked on distilleries including Lindores Abbey in Fife and Ardnamurchan in the Highlands.
Organic founder Gareth Roberts said the plans are ‘great news for Campbeltown’s economy’.
“Craft whisky makers can thrive here, benefitting from clean water, local power generation and an idyllic location,” said Roberts.
“The whisky boom will provide local well paid and stable jobs across a variety of roles including distilling, warehousing and visitor centres. Campbeltown is definitely one to watch and we are proud to be involved in its key turning point in history.”
Brave New Spirits, founded in 2020, bottles whisky under brand names including Cask Noir (whiskies finished in unusual casks), Whisky of Voodoo (small-batch bottlings) and The Yellow Edition (single cask bottlings).
“We are looking forward to becoming part of the community, contributing to the already worldwide reputation of Campbeltown whisky,” said Brave new Spirits directors Adam Hochul and Alexander Springensguth.
“We could not find a better location to build our first stillhouse. The distillery is a great addition to our existing portfolio of internationally recognised brands of Scotch whisky, but also an opportunity to give back to the outstanding community of Scottish whisky distillers.”
