Glengyle

Region: Campbeltown

Owner: Mitchell’s Glengyle Ltd

Founded: 1872

When the distillery was purchased by Springbank owner Hedley Wright in 2000, it was pretty much just a shell and it had been closed for 80 odd years. I assume that it was always Hedley’s intention to buy the distillery next door as he was distantly related to the founder of the distillery William Mitchell. Four years later spirit began running from the new stills for the first time since 1929.

Unlike many newly built and/ or refurbished distilleries the stills that were fitted into the distillery were not newly made. The two stills used at the distillery were salvaged from the Ben Wyvis distillery that was briefly part of the Invergordon gain distillery, which was where the now retired Springbank distillery manager Frank McHardy began his 50 odd year career in the Scottish whisky industry.

I’m a big fan of the distillery. It produces a classically malty and salty Campbeltown whisky with a lovely lightness of touch and a beguiling fruity and citric character. The whisky is released under the brand name FKilkerran as the rights to the Glengyle name are owned by Glen Scotia through the purchase of the distillery in the 1940’s by the blenders Bloch Bothers who also owned Glen Scotia at the time.

I have to say that the current 12 year old release is without a shadow of a doubt, the best value 12 year old single malt whisky that you can get your hands on.

(Image Copyright James Mortimer Photography)