Portavadie whisky distillery

Portavadie Distillery is a new coastal Scotch whisky distillery under construction at Portavadie, on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll & Bute, Scotland. The site overlooks Loch Fyne and occupies the former grounds of the Polphail “ghost village”, an abandoned 1970s housing complex built for oil industry workers but never inhabited.

The project is a £15 million investment by Piccadily Agro Industries Ltd. (PAIL) — India’s largest independent malt spirit distiller — which acquired Portavadie Distillers and Blenders Ltd. in June 2021. When complete, Portavadie will be one of the few new large-scale malt whisky distilleries built on Scotland’s western coast in decades.

Designed by Organic Architects, the distillery takes the form of a modern coastal village, with multiple gabled structures and traditional copper pot stills oriented toward the loch.

House Style

While no official tasting notes yet exist, the Portavadie spirit is expected to emphasize maritime character derived from its sea air, brine exposure, and soft Loch Fyne water. The distillery has suggested it will lean toward lightly peated Highland-style malts with coastal influence, echoing the region’s historical whisky traditions.

Given the involvement of PAIL’s master distillers, the production philosophy may blend Indian malt expertise with Scottish maturation, aiming for smooth, approachable profiles balanced by gentle smoke and sweetness.

Production

Portavadie will use traditional copper pot stills and malted barley, with production conforming to Scotch Whisky Regulations. The mash house, still house, and warehouse complex are built to face Loch Fyne for both aesthetic and airflow reasons.

• Stills: 2 wash, 2 spirit stills (planned)
• Water source: Local Loch Fyne catchment
• Barley: Scottish-grown malt; potential peating via Highland peat sources
• Maturation: On-site dunnage and racked warehouses
• Environmental design: Energy-efficient building envelope, heat recovery systems, and local material use

Visitor Centre

The distillery will feature a planned café, restaurant, and tasting experiences, taking advantage of its stunning coastal location overlooking Loch Fyne.

Portavadie factsheet