Dartmoor Whisky Distillery

The story begins in 2009 when Greg Millar spent a working week at Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay and recognised the potential for a whisky distillery in Devon. He partnered with Simon Crow and the project took shape over the following years. A copper still arrived in Devon in 2014 and was installed in the Old Bovey Tracey Town Hall — a building of genuine character in the gateway town to Dartmoor National Park. Distilling formally commenced in 2017.

A pivotal decision was engaging Frank McHardy as master distiller. McHardy, with over five decades of distilling experience at Springbank (where he served as distillery manager) and Bushmills, brought a level of technical expertise and whisky tradition rarely found in England's nascent distilling scene. His involvement gave Dartmoor's whisky programme credibility and craft depth from day one. Each cask is individually matured, allowing the team to track and select the finest expressions for release.

The distillery operates two stills: a hand-beaten Cognac still dating from 1966 and a copper pot still. The combination of these two distinct vessels — an unusual partnership by any measure — contributes to the distinctive character of Dartmoor Single Malt. Each whisky expression is aged in individual casks, with no single large batch approach. The distillery is located in Bovey Tracey, Devon, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, using Dartmoor water in production.

Dartmoor Single Malt is an English single malt shaped by the individual cask philosophy: each expression reflects the character of its specific barrel, creating variety within the range. The use of the historic Cognac still — unusual in a whisky context — imparts a richness and aromatic complexity not found in spirits produced solely on conventional pot stills. Under Frank McHardy's guidance, the house style prizes balance: depth and character without heaviness, approachability without simplicity. Bourbon cask and other finishing expressions are offered, each presenting a distinct facet of Dartmoor's terroir.

The distillery is open for tours and tasting experiences from its Bovey Tracey base on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. A distillery shop is on site. Tours should be booked via the official website at dartmoorwhiskydistillery.co.uk. The location in Bovey Tracey makes it an ideal stop for visitors exploring Dartmoor, with the added appeal of a genuinely historic building and a world-class master distiller at the helm.