Benbecula
SCOTCH SINGLE MALT WHISKIES > B
BENBECULA
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Nunton
North Uist
An Outer Hebridean Single Malt Whisky
Distillation starting in 2023.
A very warm welcome from North Uist Distillery Co, thanks for visiting our online home. Our family run distillery in the Outer Hebrides produces some of Scotland’s very finest artisan spirits including the multi award winning Downpour Gin range and our soon to launch Nunton Whisky. Thanks for joining us on our journey, you are most welcome & it’s very good to have you here
We have begun work on our plans for a new Single Malt Whisky Distillery here on the island of Benbecula, our home in the Outer Hebrides.
From our distillery home in the historic surroundings of Nunton Steadings, an integral part of the island community since the 1700’s our Whisky journey begins. Inspired by stories passed down through the generations of the illicit island stills which supplied a welcome dram or two to the crofters, fishermen and other island friends - we now look to the future, starting an exciting new story that will forever respect our past. We’re just getting started. There is far to go. But we make sure to savour every moment of our journey which we look forward to sharing with you along the way.
When it comes to creating something special, we know that only the very best ingredients will do. That’s why our Whisky range will make exclusive use of the finest Bere Barley. A historic grain, it was first grown in neolithic times and has a rich association with our island home. Traditionally used for Whisky production worldwide, it fell out of favour replaced with other grains that were faster to grow and cheaper to buy. Luckily for us, Bere happens to be the only barley produced on our islands, and we are proud that our Whisky range will take full advantage of this superior grain as we look to support a new generation of crofters while producing some of Scotland’s finest single malts.
You might have noticed an increase in whisky news from us lately, and it’s just the beginning as we make strides into what is going to to be a very big year for us here at the distillery. While we await the start of construction works at Nunton, Jonny is just back from an educational jaunt to another beautiful Hebridean island, where he was learning some tricks of the trade from our friends at the fantastic Kilchoman Distillery in Islay.
Kilchoman is one of the few Scottish whisky distilleries producing field to bottle whiskies, with barley grown and traditionally floor malted on the island. It was fantastic to learn from such skilled distillers and get some insights into the process that will be the backbone of our own Nunton Whisky.
> “Gramsdale Distillery Project”
> The Uist Distilling Company
> Gramsdale, Benbecula HS7 5QP
> Outer Hebrides
> SCOTLAND
Name has not been announced. This is the Angus A. MacMillan project.
>
> *New water of life with Benbecula Distillery *Sept 2, 2022/
> StornowayGaz/Brian Wilson Construction has begun on the new Benbecula
> Distillery, creating local jobs and adding to the widening range of Hebridean drinks production. The new site is expected to be open to the public in Spring 2023.
> Spearheaded by South Uist father and son duo Angus A MacMillan and Angus E MacMillan, Benbecula Distillery will pay homage to the island’s rich maritime heritage. These include a storytelling corner, a seafood bar and a Lighthouse offering 360 degree views over Benbecula looking as far as Skye, Harris and the Monach Isles.
> Construction and installation of equipment on the Gramsdale site is to be completed by the end of this year with production due to commence early in 2023 and doors opening to the public in the spring.
> Local contractor MacInnes Brothers Ltd. has been awarded the contract for the build phase and this will be augmented by suppliers of distillery equipment from within the Highlands and Islands.
> The new distillery is set to offer gin and whisky from Benbecula, adding to the young drinks market which is flourishing throughout the Hebrides with quality products emerging from Harris, North Uist, Barra and Tiree.
> Benbecula Distillery has the ambition to be producing 500,000 bottles of whisky per year and it is estimated that this will create an initial 10-12 local jobs.
Jack W. Smith Jr., Keeper of the Quaich, Certified Specialist of Spirits (The Society of Wine Educators), The Council of Whiskey Masters (Advisory Board), President, Metro Atlanta Scotch Club
Whisky
The award-winning Scottish island distillery making whisky in ‘important step in historic ambition’
A listed distillery on a stunning Scottish island has started making whisky - and the team has big plans for the future.
ery is proud to announce the first distillation of its new make spirit at Benbecula’s historic Nunton Steading, a momentous achievement for one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries.
Co-founders Kate Macdonald and Jonny Ingledew have spent the past- ten years working towards their dream of a carbon-neutral distillery, where this spirit has been produced and will be aged to maturity in carefully curated casks, showcasing the resilience, history, and distinct terroir of the Hebridean island.
The whisky will be flavour-forward, making use of heritage barley, long fermentation and brewer’s yeast before distillation through squat stills designed to squeeze under the low roof of the B-listed distillery building.
Their downward facing lyne arms will capture more complex flavours which will be complemented by ex-bourbon, new oak, and olorosso-seasoned casks, producing a whisky of complexity and depth that tells the story of life on the remote Hebridean island.
“Distilling whisky here is about more than just the spirit in the cask — it’s about honouring the past while supporting the future of our islands,” said co-founder Jonny Ingledew.
“By using bere barley grown on Uist’s machair, we’re investing in a resilient crop that has evolved with our unique environment over hundreds of years. It’s a true taste of Uist and Benbecula and of the past, present and future we want for our community.”
At the heart of this revival is bere barley, a heritage crop that has thrived in the high-pH soils of the Outer Hebrides for centuries.
Resilient and rich in character, bere barley is perfectly adapted to the island’s challenging climate, making it an ideal grain for North Uist Distillery’s field-to-cask production.
The grain is sourced from local crofters who employ traditional methods like seaweed fertilisation, creating a sustainable supply chain and supporting the islands’ agricultural heritage.
North Uist distillery whisky
Once Scotland’s primary barley, bere has recently been embraced for its unique flavour, offering whisky lovers a singular taste of the region’s history and environment.
10 best luxury whisky gifts for Christmas 2024 - from custom distillery Swiss watch to Aston Martin experience
The distillery operates within the beautifully restored 18th-century Nunton Steadings, acquired by Kate and Jonny in 2020 as part of their commitment to bringing new industry and employment to the islands of Uist and Benbecula.
Set along Benbecula’s stunning Culla Bay beach, the Downpour Shop and tasting room has already become a popular destination for both residents and visitors, drawing over 60,000 visitors since it opened.
North Uist Distillery is one of only 65 B-Corp businesses in Scotland - a certification of balancing people, the planet and profit.
The carbon-neutral distillery is reintroducing bere barley and producing whisky locally in an environmentally sensitive manner whilst continuing to strengthen its bond with the community and celebrate the spirit of island life.
North Uist distillery whisky
Kate and Jonny at North Uist distillery
Kate Macdonald added: “We want to produce amazing whisky that honours and protects the land it comes from.
The stunning new Highland whisky distillery 'retreat' located in historic glen
“That’s why our long-term goal is to have grain-to-glass whisky production using heritage bere barley, grown, malted, distilled and bottled at our historic home at Nunton Steadings. This first distillation is another important step towards that ambition.”
Whisky distillation is being led by distillery manager and head distiller Jacob Crisp who will be producing just one cask per day, with each precious drop representing a labour of love that embodies the essence of the Outer Hebridean archipelago — its past, present, and sustainable future.
In just a few years, the first sip of Nunton-made whisky will toast a new era for the island, celebrated in the same building where islanders once worked and where their ancestors once gathered.
The award-winning Scottish island distillery making whisky in ‘important step in historic ambition’
Whisky
The award-winning Scottish island distillery making whisky in ‘important step in historic ambition’
A listed distillery on a stunning Scottish island has started making whisky - and the team has big plans for the future.
2nd Dec 2024
North Uist Distillery is proud to announce the first distillation of its new make spirit at Benbecula’s historic Nunton Steading, a momentous achievement for one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries.
Co-founders Kate Macdonald and Jonny Ingledew have spent the past- ten years working towards their dream of a carbon-neutral distillery, where this spirit has been produced and will be aged to maturity in carefully curated casks, showcasing the resilience, history, and distinct terroir of the Hebridean island.
The whisky will be flavour-forward, making use of heritage barley, long fermentation and brewer’s yeast before distillation through squat stills designed to squeeze under the low roof of the B-listed distillery building.
Their downward facing lyne arms will capture more complex flavours which will be complemented by ex-bourbon, new oak, and olorosso-seasoned casks, producing a whisky of complexity and depth that tells the story of life on the remote Hebridean island.
“Distilling whisky here is about more than just the spirit in the cask — it’s about honouring the past while supporting the future of our islands,” said co-founder Jonny Ingledew.
“By using bere barley grown on Uist’s machair, we’re investing in a resilient crop that has evolved with our unique environment over hundreds of years. It’s a true taste of Uist and Benbecula and of the past, present and future we want for our community.”
At the heart of this revival is bere barley, a heritage crop that has thrived in the high-pH soils of the Outer Hebrides for centuries.
Resilient and rich in character, bere barley is perfectly adapted to the island’s challenging climate, making it an ideal grain for North Uist Distillery’s field-to-cask production.
The grain is sourced from local crofters who employ traditional methods like seaweed fertilisation, creating a sustainable supply chain and supporting the islands’ agricultural heritage.
North Uist distillery whisky
Once Scotland’s primary barley, bere has recently been embraced for its unique flavour, offering whisky lovers a singular taste of the region’s history and environment.
The 3 best sherry cask whiskies for a brilliant festive dram - including one chocolatey drink that’s ‘ rich splendour’
The distillery operates within the beautifully restored 18th-century Nunton Steadings, acquired by Kate and Jonny in 2020 as part of their commitment to bringing new industry and employment to the islands of Uist and Benbecula.
Set along Benbecula’s stunning Culla Bay beach, the Downpour Shop and tasting room has already become a popular destination for both residents and visitors, drawing over 60,000 visitors since it opened.
North Uist Distillery is one of only 65 B-Corp businesses in Scotland - a certification of balancing people, the planet and profit.
The carbon-neutral distillery is reintroducing bere barley and producing whisky locally in an environmentally sensitive manner whilst continuing to strengthen its bond with the community and celebrate the spirit of island life.
North Uist distillery whisky
Kate Macdonald added: “We want to produce amazing whisky that honours and protects the land it comes from.
Best whisky gifts for beginners - including tours, tasting kits and bottles under £30
“That’s why our long-term goal is to have grain-to-glass whisky production using heritage bere barley, grown, malted, distilled and bottled at our historic home at Nunton Steadings. This first distillation is another important step towards that ambition.”
Whisky distillation is being led by distillery manager and head distiller Jacob Crisp who will be producing just one cask per day, with each precious drop representing a labour of love that embodies the essence of the Outer Hebridean archipelago — its past, present, and sustainable future.
In just a few years, the first sip of Nunton-made whisky will toast a new era for the island, celebrated in the same building where islanders once worked and where their ancestors once gathered.