Ardgowan Distillery fills its first cask

Ardgowan Distillery has filled its first cask.

After years of planning, building, and some prayers to the great god Imhotep (that might have just been me), production has kicked off. Which makes Ardgowan the first new distillery to make Scotch whisky in Inverclyde in more than a century.

Based in Inverkip on Scotland’s west coast, Ardgowan has been in development since 2017. Founded by whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain, the distillery took eight years to go from idea to operation. The final result is a visually striking building inspired by Scandinavian longhouses, complete with a 97% recycled aluminium roof and a focus on sustainability that goes far beyond token gestures.

Grain leads the team alongside distillery manager Laura Davies, and the pair marked the start of Ardgowan’s whisky-making journey by filling the first cask on 20 June 2025. There was an official opening day, a barrel, a crowd, and presumably more than a few raised glasses.

Built for the long haul

The filled cask was the first of Ardgowan’s Infinity Casks, specially developed for long-term maturation. These European oak casks were seasoned with sherry for three years before the distillery had even begun production. The Infinity Casks were created in collaboration with Bodegas Miguel Martín and Stuart MacPherson, former master of wood at The Macallan.

It’s the kind of investment that shows intent, and Ardgowan wants to revive what it calls “The Golden Age of Scotch whisky”, when long sherry maturation in quality oak was the norm.

Whisky with a greener conscience

Sustainability is also front and centre. The recycled roof is just one example. The distillery also features Thermal Vapour Recompression, a clever bit of technology that captures and reuses waste heat. Ardgowan’s goal is carbon neutrality, and every part of the operation has been designed to balance flavour and environmental responsibility.

What happens next

The next chapter will see the opening of Ardgowan’s visitor centre later this summer. It promises a range of experiences designed for whisky beginners and experts alike. Until then, the first cask sits quietly in the warehouse. It is the beginning of a long story, and one we will be following closely.

With serious backing, deep experience, a sustainability mindset and a cask strategy built for the long term, Ardgowan has set itself up nicely. Whether it becomes a real name in Scotch whisky all depends on how good the liquid inside said cask is.

The Last Drop: Ardgowan Distillery fills its first cask

Ardgowan has begun production and filled its first cask, bringing whisky back to Inverclyde after more than a century. Expect long sherry cask maturation, green credentials and serious long-term ambition.

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