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The Home of Single Cask Single Malt

Reviving a Two-Century Legacy of Craftsmanship

About Us

For nearly two centuries, Annandale Distillery has stood as a testament to the enduring craft of whisky-making. Over three eras of ownership, it experienced a remarkable journey—including a 90-year hiatus. Today, in its fourth era of whisky production, Annandale thrives under the dedicated stewardship of Professor David Thomson and Teresa Church. Following an extensive restoration, they have safeguarded this historic distillery, ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come.

1830
“Nearly 200 years old, shifting from whisky to porridge production.”
1830
Originally built
Built between 1830 and 1836 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 modernised 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 Annandale’s peated whisky as a component in their Blended Whiskies. Amongst other things, they added the iconic Charles Doig ‘pagoda roof’ kiln, the tall brick chimney, and they expanded the warehouse. All of these features remain today.
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 Swan, a long-standing acquaintance of Professor Thomson, was the first person he called when he needed a design for the production plant and process. Time has shown that his design work produces exceptionally good whisky.
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. The distillery crafts both unpeated 'Man O' Words' and peated 'Man O' Sword,' matured in a variety of different cask types.
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 50,000 guests every year.
2018
First Bottling
By Law, the spirit produced by Annandale Distillery in 2014, had to mature in oak wood casks for a minimum of 3 years. The first bottling, which took place in 2018, was attended by the press and guests of David Thomson and Teresa Church.
2018
2024
“Annandale Celebrates 10 year anniversary.”
2024
Whiskies That Tell a Story

Celebrating the Land, the Process, and the People Behind Every Drop

Today, Annandale produces both peated and unpeated single malt whiskies, crafted with the utmost care and dedication to quality. Every drop tells a story—of tradition, innovation, and the deep connection between the land, the process, and the people who make it all possible.

What Makes Our Whisky So Special

New Make Spirit

Our unique plant and production process, originally designed by the late, Dr Jim Swan, is the first of its kind. By using twin copper spirit stills we remove most of the undesirable sulphur compounds during the distillation process.

Cask Influence

The unique flavours of Scotch whisky are shaped by the oak cask it matures in, which is why we carefully handpick single casks from around the world to enhance the character of our peated or unpeated Single Malts.

The Microclimate

According to Jim Swan the conditions within our historic bonded warehouse at Annandale Distillery are nothing short of perfect.

Twin Spirit Stills

Our twin spirit stills play a crucial role in crafting single malts with remarkable depth and balance. The precise design allows us to produce a spirit that matures beautifully, reaching exceptional sensory maturity in just 3 years.

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Environmental Sustainability

We’re committed to leading the way towards net zero. Generating all the steam we need through green electricity would mark a transformative step forward—not just for us, but for the Scotch whisky industry as a whole. We’re excited to partner with Exergy3 to bring this vision to life and make a meaningful contribution to a greener future.

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