Ardnamurchan Distillery

Adelphi Distillery was founded in 1993 as an independent bottler by Jamie Walker, great-grandson of Archibald Walker. After Jamie sold Adelphi in 2004 to Keith Falconer and David Houston, the new owners developed a plan to build a physical distillery rather than simply bottle third-party spirit. Planning was submitted in 2011, council approval was granted in April 2012, and construction began in 2013 in the village of Glenbeg on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, completing in May 2014.

The first distillate ran in 2014, with the first official whisky releases following from 2016 onward — ahead of the standard three-year single malt classification, initially as new-make and early spirit offerings. By 2020 over 10,000 casks had been filled at the distillery. The site uses blockchain traceability to document every aspect of production, from barley origin to cask filling. In 2018 the distillery made a charitable gesture of giving local children whisky casks as investments. The AD/10 expression — released in 2024 as an anniversary bottling — was subsequently added to the permanent range. The distillery holds Global Sustainable Distillery certification.

Water comes from springs above the distillery and the Glenmore River supplies cooling water. The distillery runs one wash still and one spirit still. Annual capacity is 500,000 litres of pure alcohol. Both peated (30 PPM) and unpeated new make are produced, typically combined in finished expressions at a ratio that varies by release. The distillery uses a biomass boiler fuelled by timber from the nearby Ardnamurchan forest for heating, and hydroelectric power for electricity — making it one of the most genuinely renewable operations in Scotland. Floor maltings are used (heated by the biomass boiler), though not for all production.

Ardnamurchan produces two base styles — peated (30 PPM) and unpeated — often vatted together for the core range alongside a blend of ex-bourbon and sherry cask maturation. The core AD Single Malt shows orchard fruit, oyster shells, honey, marzipan, and a gentle coastal character. The Cask Strength release shifts toward coastal peat smoke, vanilla, and warm black pepper spice. The AD/10 anniversary expression (now permanent) balances coconut, oat biscuits, and zesty orange peel against salty sea air and bonfire embers. The style is maritime and multi-layered — both peated and unpeated expressions benefit from the peninsula's exposure to the Atlantic.

Tours are available Monday–Friday 10:00–16:30 (closed Thursdays). Book by telephone on 01972 500285 or by email via the official website. An online shop at ardnamurchandistillery.com/shop stocks whisky expressions, single casks, and branded merchandise. A physical shop is on site.