InchDairnie distillery

InchDairnie is one of many recent distilleries built to supply whisky primarily for the blending market rather than consumers a fact reflected in the lack of marketing and visitor centre. Instead anticipating increased demand for malt for blending Ian Palmer established a relationship with MacDuff International (the Glasgow-based blender responsible for Grand Macnish, Lauder’s, and Islay Mist) allowing a guaranteed route to market.

Although having clocked up 40 years in the whisky industry, working at Glen Turner, Glen Moray, Invergordon and Starlaw distilleries, it’s fair to say that Ian Palmer is primarily a grain distillery a sector he describes as having "no fear of technology and a willingness to give something a go". Perhaps it’s this background that makes InchDairnie break with convention, opting for a hammer mill over the conventional roller mill, ditching the mash tun in favour of a conversion vessel and a mash filter, and perhaps most excitingly installing a Lomond still not seen in the Lowlands since the closure of Dumbarton in 2002. Throughout Ian has been careful to liaise with the Scottish Whisky Association to ensure they follow the letter of the law however.

So we’re unlikely to see the first Malt release until around 2029, but the brands ‘Ryelaw’ rye, one of the first commercial pot still rye spirits made in Scotland for more than 200 years, is expected to be released shortly.

InchDairnie factsheet

Name	Pronounced	AKA	Region	Country of Origin
InchDairnie			Lowlands	Scotland
Status	Active	Whisky Type	Website	Tours Available
Active	2014 - Present	Malt, Rye	InchDairnie	Not Available
Manager	Distiller	Blender	Owned by	Parent Group
			John Fergus & Co.