Shortlisted | Ballindalloch Distillery | Distillery Visitor Experience of the Year

Ballindalloch Distillery is in the running for our Distillery Visitor Experience of the Year 2015 award!

Ballindalloch Single Estate Distillery began production on 22 September 2014 and is the completion of over three years of planning, renovation and building work. The production side of the distillery is fully manual and allows for a truly ‘hands on’ approach to whisky making, following the traditions of years gone by. Located in a renovated farm steading, the Single Estate nature of what Ballindalloch does means that barley is harvested from the distillery’s own farm, and the distillation and maturation all takes place on the estate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest facilities at Ballindalloch are designed around small, intimate, appointment-only tours of the distillery, with groups no larger than eight. Distillery Host Brian Robinson tailors each tour to suit. Generally, tours start with a two-and-a-half hour visit detailing the history of the Macpherson-Grant family and how they have returned to distilling. Guests will then see the entire operation, from the malt bins to the warehouse, and meet with Charlie Smith and Colin Poppy, the men behind all of the production at Ballindalloch. For guests who want a more in-depth visit, a three-and-a-half to four-hour visit is available. With Brian able to stand in for many elements of the production process, he is able to give much more technical detail and information than is usually available to distillery visitors. The Spirit Tour also presents the opportunity to fill a cask as well as offering access to the beautifully-appointed Club Room.

For those who like their visits to be a little more involving, Ballindalloch also offers The Art of Whisky Making, a full day spent working with Charlie and Colin and understanding what it takes to run a distillery by hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limited to only two guests on any given day, this ensures that participants gain a unique perspective on whisky making. Fully bespoke options are available for guests who wish to visit other areas of the estate, from the castle to the farm and beyond. Whilst Ballindalloch waits for its whisky to mature, drams are provided from Macpherson-Grant private casks of Cragganmore, the youngest of which is 27 years old.

Click here to vote for your favourite whisky distillery experience.