Morvern distillery gets to work on first organic malt
A NEW organic whisky distillery has started distilling its first batch of spirit.
Perched above the Sound of Mull in the remote community of Drimnin on the Morvern peninsula, Ncn’ean Distillery, formerly called Drimnin Distillery, has begun work on its first single malt - which is expected to be ready in 2020.
Committed to a sustainable manufacturing approach, Ncn’ean claims to be the first organic distillery in Scotland.
The distillery has been designed as the first fully organic distillery in Scotland powered by renewable energy. Wood chips for the biomass boiler are sourced from a local forest, while all by-products are recycled as animal and plant feed on the remote estate on which it lies.
Annabel Thomas, chief executive officer and founder of Ncn’ean Distillery, said: ‘We’re using some of the most imaginative distilling ideas from around the world and the best ingredients Scotland has to offer. We’re trying longer mashing times and slower fermentation and experimenting with yeasts not commonly used in distilling.’
Until the first batch of single malt hits shelves in three years, the distillery is releasing a limited number of mearly casks for sale in bond.
Located at the edge of the Morvern peninsula, the distillery has been in the planning for five years, with construction work starting just over a year ago.
Annabel said: ‘After so many years of planning and preparation, we’re delighted to have reached this milestone. It has been wonderful to see our vision start to come to life and we are looking forward to the next stage of this exciting journey.’
Ncn’ean Distillery sits on the Drimnin estate in Morvern, which is owned and operated by Annabel’s family, with dramatic views overlooking the Sound of Mull.
While the idea to establish a distillery on the estate first gained traction in 2013 with the creation of Drimnin Distillery Ltd, Annabel - with the help of managing director and former Carlsberg UK boss Benet Slay - has since gone on to make it a reality.
Earlier this year, the distillery’s name was changed to Ncn’ean ahead of its opening in March.
The name Ncn’ean comes from Neachneohain, the Queen of Spirits in Gaelic legend. Neachneohain was a huntress: strong, independent and never afraid to walk her own path.