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Blending Tradition with Modern Excellence

Our legacy

About Us

Annandale Distillery is nearly two centuries old and has experienced three whisky ownerships. Now, in its fourth whisky era, it is reborn under Prof. David Thomson and Teresa Church.

1830
“Nearly 200 years old, shifting from whisky to porridge production.”
1830
Originally built
Built in 1830 by George Donald, Annandale Distillery was perfectly located for whisky production, with abundant water, local peat, and ideal maturation conditions, featuring iconic pink sandstone buildings.
1836
1836
distillery established
Founded in 1836, Annandale Distillery was one of Scotland’s earliest legal whisky producers. The peated style of whisky was produced here using traditional techniques and equipment. It would have been a very labour-intensive job.
“The family ran the distillery for almost 50 years.”
1883
John Sykes Gardner
After George Donald's death in 1883, the distillery passed to John Sykes Gardner, who modernized it and maintained peated single malt whisky production for the next decade.
1883
1893
1893
Johnnie Walker & Sons
Johnnie Walker and Sons bought the distillery in 1893, using its spirit for peated whisky. They added the iconic Charles Doig pagoda roof and a tall brick chimney, and expanded warehouse capacity by adding a story to the original structure.
1918
“Annandale Distillery Halts Production Post-WWI”
1918
2007
“In 2014, South Scotland began producing fine Single Malt Scotch Whisky again”
2007
NEW owners
Professor David Thomson and Teresa Church bought the site and converted it back into a fully functional, working distillery.
2008
2008
Dr. Jim swan
Dr. Jim Swan, 'Einstein of Whisky,' was commissioned to design Annandale Distillery's whisky-making plant. Dr Swan was the first person Professor Thomson called when he needed a design for the operational facilities after purchasing the distillery.
2009
“Nearly 200 years old, shifting from whisky to porridge production.”
renovation begins
Key repairs included stabilizing the mash house and replacing slate and pink sandstone sourced from original locations.  The historic pagoda roof was in remarkable condition for its age and is one of only 5 original Charles Doig pagoda roofs left.
2009/10
Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD) was invited to excavate the property
2009/10
2014
Production Re-commences
On 9th November 2014, Annandale Distillery produced its first spirit, matured into single malt, single cask whisky. The distillery crafts both unpeated 'Man O' Words' and peated 'Man O' Sword,' offering a variety of whisky styles.
2014
2015
2015
Visitor Centre Opens
The Princess Royal reopens distillery on 10th September 2015 following a £10.5 million restoration and now welcomes over 25,000 guests every year.
2018
First Bottling
The spirit produced by Annandale Distillery in 2014, had to mature in oak wood casks for a minimum of 3 years by Scottish law, and so was bottled in 2018. This first bottling was attended by the press and guests of Professor David Thomson and Teresa Church.
2018
2024
“Annandale Celebrates 10 year anniversary.”
2024
Fine whisky

Enjoyed around the world

Annandale is proud to be represented in the countries listed below. Please click on your chosen country to be taken to our trusted distribution partner. Austria,  Australia,  Belgium,  China,  Denmark,  Germany,  Holland,  Italy,  Luxembourg,  Malta, New Zealand,  Norway,  Sweden,  Switzerland  and Taiwan

What Makes Us So Special

Professor Thomson believes whisky-making is where science meets artistry, and the human palate remains the ultimate judge

Barley

Barley’s starches transform into sugars during malting, shaping the whisky’s unique flavour

Chill Filtration

A process used to remove compounds responsible for haze, ensuring clarity without altering taste

Copper

The iconic distillation vessels and copper stills purify the spirit, enhancing the whisky’s smoothness and character

Kilning

The process of drying malted barley, often over peat smoke, imparts distinctive smoky flavours to whisky

read more

Passionate Minds behind Annandale

Led by Prof. David Thomson and Teresa Church, the Annandale team passionately restores and maintains the distillery’s whisky excellence.

meet the team

Environmental Sustainability

Hailed as a 'game changer in the race to net zero,' Annandale Distillery is pioneering a £3.6 million trial of groundbreaking thermal energy storage technology. This project is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

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