New Scottish distillery The Cairn – based not far from the Highland town of Grantown-on-Spey – has announced its first spirit production since opening.
The team at the distillery, as well as executives, were in attendance for the first spirit run, accompanied by members of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail. With spirit flowing from the stills, it marks the first spirit run following completion of the commissioning phase of the distillery equipment.
The spirit has been transported off site for the first filling of the casks, with the first cask signed by Mhairi Winters, Cairn Distillery Manager, Operations Director Stuart Urquhart, and Benromach Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank.
Commenting on the new-make spirit, Winters said: “Over the last weeks we have been conducting test distillations, tweaking the process to create the desired character. The result is a complex, medium to full bodied new-make spirit, with a sweet, malty base and vibrant, fresh fruit top notes.”
The wait will be long for those wishing to taste this first spirit, with the distillery expecting it to be the mid 2030’s before bottles become available for sampling and purchasing. Good news for those in the area however, is that the distillery will be opening later this year to the public, including a visitor experience.
Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail said: “This was a very special moment - a moment to mark the efforts of all the people involved in the project over the last few years and a moment to signify the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Gordon & MacPhail as the company celebrates over 127 years of trading. Later in the year, when the visitor experience is finished and the landscaping completed, we intend to invite all colleagues from Gordon & MacPhail, and the many other people who have helped us to this point to experience The Cairn Distillery for themselves ahead of opening to the public.”
The team at the distillery, as well as executives, were in attendance for the first spirit run, accompanied by members of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail. With spirit flowing from the stills, it marks the first spirit run following completion of the commissioning phase of the distillery equipment.
The spirit has been transported off site for the first filling of the casks, with the first cask signed by Mhairi Winters, Cairn Distillery Manager, Operations Director Stuart Urquhart, and Benromach Distillery Manager Keith Cruickshank.
Commenting on the new-make spirit, Winters said: “Over the last weeks we have been conducting test distillations, tweaking the process to create the desired character. The result is a complex, medium to full bodied new-make spirit, with a sweet, malty base and vibrant, fresh fruit top notes.”
The wait will be long for those wishing to taste this first spirit, with the distillery expecting it to be the mid 2030’s before bottles become available for sampling and purchasing. Good news for those in the area however, is that the distillery will be opening later this year to the public, including a visitor experience.
Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail said: “This was a very special moment - a moment to mark the efforts of all the people involved in the project over the last few years and a moment to signify the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Gordon & MacPhail as the company celebrates over 127 years of trading. Later in the year, when the visitor experience is finished and the landscaping completed, we intend to invite all colleagues from Gordon & MacPhail, and the many other people who have helped us to this point to experience The Cairn Distillery for themselves ahead of opening to the public.”
