Bladnoch Distillery

John and Thomas McClelland founded Bladnoch in 1817 close to the River Bladnoch, just outside Wigtown — a location that would define the distillery's character through its soft, lowland water. Despite the general late-Victorian consolidation that swept away many Galloway distilleries during the 1890s, Bladnoch survived under family ownership. In 1911 it passed to the Irish company Wm Dunville & Co. Ltd, who operated it until 1937.

A succession of owners followed through the mid-20th century: Ian Fisher and McGowan & Cameron, then Inver House Distillers from 1973. Arthur Bell & Sons acquired the site in 1983 and modernised the facility; United Distillers Group took over in 1987, continuing upgrades before closing the distillery in 1993. It reopened in 2000 under the ownership of Raymond Armstrong, who ran it as an independent operation until 2015.

In July 2015 Australian businessman David Prior — believed to be the first Australian to purchase a Scotch whisky distillery — acquired Bladnoch alongside former Scotch Whisky Association CEO Gavin Hewitt. A full refurbishment followed, and production restarted in June 2017, 200 years after the distillery's founding. The current equipment includes a 5-tonne mash tun, six Douglas Fir wooden washbacks, two 12,500-litre wash stills, and two 9,500-litre spirit stills. Master distiller Ian MacMillan oversaw the relaunch, developing the current range of expressions under three portfolio collections.

Bladnoch draws its distilling water from the River Bladnoch, which runs alongside the distillery. The current plant, installed for the 2017 relaunch, comprises two wash stills of 12,500 litres and two spirit stills of 9,500 litres, giving an annual production capacity of approximately 1.5 million litres of pure alcohol. Fermentation uses six wooden washbacks of Douglas Fir. The distillery produces a traditional unpeated Lowland style, with maturation predominantly in ex-bourbon barrels supplemented by various cask finishes. A steam boiler fuelled by LPG provides heat.

Bladnoch produces light, grassy, and malty spirit in the Lowland tradition — clean, accessible, and distinctly different from the richer, heavier styles of the Highlands and Islands. The current range is organised into three collections: the Bold Collection (vibrant and approachable expressions with a taste-first philosophy), the Galloway Collection (exceptional cask maturation expressions honouring the distillery's heritage), and the Spirited Collection (limited releases celebrating rarity and innovation). Core expressions typically show fresh grass, citrus zest, vanilla, and a gentle cereal sweetness on the palate, with a clean, dry finish that reflects the Lowland character.

Tours are available and can be booked via the official website. An annual pilgrimage event is held at the distillery. Physical shop and online shop are both available. Address: Bladnoch, Newton Stewart, DG8 9AB. Tel: 01988 402605.