The original Loch Katrine Adelphi Distillery was founded in 1826 in Glasgow, producing whisky until the 1920’s, and continuing as a maturation site until 1970.
Adelphi was re-started in 1993 as an independent bottler and has built a global reputation for the highest quality single cask and limited edition whiskies.
In 2007 Adelphi decided to begin a feasibility study into a new distillery in Ardnamurchan, one of the most remote and spectacular parts of Scotland, and work commenced in early 2013 with completion just over one year later.
The Ardnamurchan Distillery has been built on traditional values, with the assistance of cutting edge techniques, to both preserve the natural cycle of Scotch whisky production and assure the utmost quality in the resulting spirit and finally, matured whisky.
Adelphi’s barley is largely being grown on Broomhall Farm next to its bottling warehouse in Fife. The distillery is 100% heated by locally sourced woodchip and the draff and pot ale, both by products of production, are being used to feed local livestock and fertilise surrounding fields.
The final, and arguably the most important part of creating the most complex whisky possible, is long term maturation in a gentle, damp climate, using only the very best, seasoned oak casks. To this end, Adelphi has constructed a 2 level dunnage warehouse built into the hillside, behind the distillery, and has spent several months sourcing the finest ex-Bourbon and Sherry casks.
The Adelphi “Dancey Man”, a mid-19th century cartoon, depicts Sir William Gladstone, performing an energetic Pas de Bas over an ear of barley to celebrate the passing of a new law that tax could only be raised on the amount of whisky left in each cask after maturation, and not the level that it was originally filled to. With the penalties for long term maturation lifted, Scotch whisky was kept in the cask until it was truly fit to consume.