North Uist
SCOTCH SINGLE MALT WHISKIES > N
NORTH UIST
also see:
Nunton
Benbecula
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.
Hello ,
welcome to our first dispatch of official spring, coming to you one day after the equinox and from a wet, wild and very windy Uist. March is proving to be another typically tempestuous one with crisp and bright sunny mornings welcoming us to work while we emerge at the end of the day into weather that has us muttering about winter never ending.
But meanwhile on the machair calves are frolicking, primroses are coming up, and the ever lengthening days are a reassuring reminder that it won't be long before summer is truly upon us and the distillery is flooded with visitors from near and far once again!
Slàinte,
Team Downpour
In fact, those visitors are already arriving, and while we've done our best to provide gin to those bold enough to brave the dust clouds billowing from Nunton over the last few weeks, we were delighted to officially reopen the shop on Monday.
Fully stocked with bottles big and small, gift sets, t-shirts, totes and a range of delicious mixers, we are here for all of your Downpour desires! Don't forget that the distillery refillery is ready and waiting for you to bring in your empties for an eco-friendly top up of your favourite tipple.
Meanwhile in the rest of the building work continues at an amazing pace, getting us ready for the arrival of our whisky equipment in the next few weeks.
The door into the production hall has been widened to allow access for pallets and casks, while the internal ceiling is being raised to make a little more headroom for the stills. We've said goodbye to the staff kitchen and old bar as walls have been taken out to reconfigure the space for the new layout, and the production hall floor is being replaced with a new load-bearing one, for all of that whisky weight.
It's all extremely exciting, and occasionally a little noisy and dusty, so please do excuse the disruptions when you call by, we promise they are worth it!
We will be starting a brand new season of Downpour tasting sessions at the beginning of April. Lasting an hour and fifteen minutes, the Downpour team will lead you through the whole award winning range, guiding you through the process of making each gin, the botanicals involved, and the recipes that create our big bold flavours that burst forth in every drop.
This year we are also offering cocktail masterclasses on Saturdays. Join us at the Island Life Bar to create and enjoy three different Downpour cocktails in a fun and informal setting, before stocking up on ingredients in the shop to recreate them at home!
Did anyone catch Kate and the distillery on BBC's Trusadh earlier this month? We were delighted to be a part of the Gaelic series in this episode Air a' Mhachair, looking at life on the machair and how it is integral to island life. If you missed it you can watch it on BBC iplayer for another couple of weeks and learn more about the unique habitat where we grow the barley destined for our upcoming whisky.
WATCH AIR A' MHACHAIR
We hope that you enjoyed our wee catch up on news from North Uist Distillery. It's a busy time for us and we really appreciate all of your continued support and encouragement as we get ready for what promises to be our most exciting summer yet!
If you can't make it to Nunton to call into the shop then there is only one thing left to do, and that's to head over to our online store where you can enjoy free shipping and giftwrapping as you get the gin in.
> “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
Hello ,
and welcome to another island dispatch, coming to you as the days are stretching ever longer here in Uist, and the sound of the cuckoo challenges the bleating of fields full of lambs for the defining sound of early summer.
With some beautifully sunny days warming the soil and the sea, the island’s delicious wild botanicals are starting to come to life and the waves are beckoning swimmers and surfers alike. It’s still pretty nippy, but boy is it worth it!
Here’s to a beautiful summer, basking in the shelter of the sand dunes with an ice cold G&T in hand.
Slàinte,
North.
Hopping over to Harris and Lewis with Slàinte Van full of Downpour might be one of the most scenic delivery routes ever. Rhona has been on the road, bringing Downpour to the fine shops, bars, and hotels of our northern neighbours and the rest of the team is so jealous inspired that we’ve decided we’re all heading to Harris for this year’s North Uist Distillery summer camping trip. We’re going to need a bigger van.
Do you know what is even better than a post-swim G&T on the beach? A post-swim, post-sauna G&T on the beach.
The fantastic Saltbox Sauna is going to be bringing their wood fired barrel sauna to Uist's beaches twice this summer. May 23rd-27th it will be at Berneray's East Beach, and then August 22nd-27th conveniently situated at Balranald Campsite. Spaces are limited so head over to their website to book yours. And don't forget to add your Downpour mini & tonic of choice, a thermos full of ice, and a salty snack or two to your swim bag!
The season is heating up and it’s been great to welcome guests back to Nunton for our informal yet informative, distillery tours and tastings.
Join us to learn about North Uist Distillery’s past, present and future, our exciting whisky journey, and most importantly - Downpour gin. How it is made, what inspired each delicious flavour, and how best to enjoy it.
Private tastings can be booked for larger groups, so drop us a line if you would like to grab some of your favourite folks and drench them in island flavour.
Finally, there have been some big changes afoot at the visitor centre since the last dispatch. Two weeks ago the whole team gathered at Nunton to watch with bated breath as our brand new stills were lowered in to the production hall through a gap in the roof, marking the start of a brand new era for both the building and our small distillery.
The next couple of months will be spent making sure that everything is in tip top working order before production begins in earnest later in the summer. We can hardly wait!
While the whisky might be a while off, we are fully stocked with Downpour gin in all of its exquisite editions, so don’t delay…
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.
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.
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.t
The award-winning Scottish island distillery making whisky in ‘important step in historic ambition’
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 and Jonny at North Uist distillery
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.