Abhainn Dearg whisky distillery

Abhainn Dearg Distillery (pronounced “Aveen Jarræk”, Gaelic for “Red River”) is located in Uig on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.
Founded in 2008 by Mark Tayburn, the distillery is recognised as the first legal whisky distillery in the Outer Hebrides in almost two hundred years.
The distillery is noted for its independent, small-scale production, use of locally grown barley, peat from the island and its remote Atlantic setting.

House Style

Abhainn Dearg produces a whisky with maritime influence, peat smoke in select expressions, and island-barley character. The spirit often delivers sea salt, cereal malt sweetness, citrus peel and moved quickly by the Atlantic exposure.

Production of Abhainn Dearg whisky

• Water Source: Local river “Abhainn Dearg” (Red River) and nearby loch/spring water on Lewis.
• Grain: Barley grown on Lewis by the distillery or locally sourced.
• Fermentation: Approximately four days per batch in wooden washbacks.
• Stills: Small wash and spirit stills, designed in house, with distinctive shaped necks and lyne arms leading to worm tubs.
• Capacity: Approximately 20,000 litres per annum (some sources) making it one of Scotland’s smallest legal malt distilleries.

Visitor Centre

The distillery’s visitor offering is modest: tours are available by appointment and the setup is informal, reflecting the craft scale of the operation.

Abhainn Dearg factsheet