A repeat visit to the now active Ardgowan Distillery
Ardgowan is such a distillery that will probably stay with me forever, since the connection was established before distilling had even started. In January 2025 we visited the distillery in the final stages of construction before production commenced in May. Unbelievable what we saw then, so much work still to do, but Ardgowan pulled through and spirit started flowing from the stills. What a beauty those stills are, with a distinctive “A” on the copper that would make Ardbeg on Islay jealous. We managed to visit this new addition to the lowland distilling heritage again, last January, the year now turned to 2026. The grounds looked impeccable, and the team flew out all over the world, so we were hosted by tour guide Wendy. She did as good a job as anyone could have done!
When we walked out of the reception, we strolled over the backlot where we witnessed something special right away. In cooperation with their Sherry Bodega partner José y Miguel Martin, Ardgowan developed a new cask size. They call it the Infinity Cask made from European oak, and especially designed to mature whisky for at least 18 years. Ardgowan claims it is the first new cask size in over a century. With a larger cask, it is logical to conclude there is less oak surface per litre, hence the longer time a maturation can take. How many litres of new make spirit the Infinity Cask can exactly hold, well, Ardgowan is a bit shady about that. When asked (again) after returning home, the official answer was to look at the SWA regulations for (maximum) cask sizes. The Scottish Whisky Association allows casks up to 700 litres, so we guess we have found our answer there. Anyway, it is almost a shame that we have to wait at least 18 years before we can taste a result! When I’m Sixty-Four, the Beatles sang, right?
Inside the distillery, we walked up to the stills straight away. The floor that holds the washbacks and copper pots is a sight to see. Ardgowan seems to operate outside of time, ignoring downturns and spikes in economic tides for Scotch whisky. We are undeniably in a turmoil at the moment, but Ardgowan does not mind playing the long game. The stills were steaming with liquid as we spoke with an employee who praised the new make and the very clean water source, compared to other distilleries in the greater Glasgow area. We might notice the difference when the first official single malt whisky comes to market from Ardgowan. We happily await the day.
Walking outside, you cannot miss the remarkable architecture of the building. If it looks and feels like something Scandinavian, you would have guessed right. The design is indeed based on longhouse architecture. The roof drops from 20 to 14 metres from one side to the other. All operations are based under this one (long) roof, with an open part towards the lower part, where you will see the boiler and lots of pipe works.
With spaces procured for future expansion, not only for whisky production but also for hosting visitors, we walk back into the reception. Wendy kindly poured us some samples from very tasty sourced casks, for bottling in their own Clydebuilt and Inverdarach lines. Among them, a surprisingly freaky Glenallachie that matured on an ex-Islay cask. We also took a bottle home with us, from which I will present a tasting note below. While purchasing, we spoke about the attraction of the distillery to tourists. Indeed, with the Greenock Cruise Terminal nearby, there is an abundance of potential. Our own experience is that a short drive from Glasgow to Ardgowan is as easy as dropping by at Auchentoshan or Clydeside. My recommendation: be sure to check it out next time you are in the area.
Clydebuilt 2012, Single Cask Distillery Exclusive, bottled at 54,8 % abv
First things first: Bottled by the Ardgowan Distillery Company. Cask # A5003 was a PX hogshead that produced 297 bottles of pitch black single malt whisky. Only to be bought at the distillery, this undisclosed malt. Supposedly 12 years old.
Upon Sipping: I do not remember if somebody accidentally let slip which malt is in the bottle. It is a fantastic luscious nose to enjoy, especially if you like raisins and exuberant red fruit. Also some leathery notes. A beautiful balance for this 12 years old malt. The arrival on the palate is nicely dry and choke-full of raisins, dark chocolate and Dubai pistachio filled milk chocolate bars. Some wood has rubbed off, but it remains well within limits. It is fair to say that with such a cask, it does not matter too much which whisky was used for it. Such quality wood can make any single malt shine. With a tiny drop of water, we release caramel notes on the nose, while the palate turns more creamy now, combined with Sultana crackers on the taste buds. The finish is a bit less dry, so we can actually recommend a little splash. With some touches of oranges, I would not be surprised if the secret malt here would be Glenrothes, but forgive me for my guessing.
Word to the Wise: Very narrow and focused PX matured single malt, the cask shines bright but the Ardgowan team found a malt whisky that can carry it on the shoulders. Well done!
Score: 88 points.