Nunton
SCOTCH SINGLE MALT WHISKIES > N
NUNTON
alsee see:
North Uist
Benbecula
An Outer Hebridean Single Malt Whisky
Distillation starting in 2023.
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.
An important figure on the island, we are proud to work in partnership with The Keeper of the Grain to ensure a bright future for the historic produce of our native islands. Our keeper Niall started growing Bere Barley 42 years ago on the island - the next in line to an age old tradition passed down through the generations. His role, to ensure the continuation of the the world’s finest grain on our islands. Monitoring the harvest each year and ensuring enough seed remains to start things over again each season.
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.
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
£42.00
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