ANNANDALE DISTILLERY
NOT JUST A DISTILLERY, A DESTINATION
How often have you seen a forgotten, derelict old building and wondered about its history? Maybe you’ve even asked yourself what it would take to reinstate it to its former glory. The truth is, it takes a special kind of person (or people) to take on such a project, particularly when the building is of significant historical importance.
Take Annandale Distillery in Dumfriesshire, for example. Originally constructed in the 1830s by George Donald, the business changed hands twice before whisky production ceased in 1918. Almost 90 years later, the site was purchased by husband-and-wife team, Professor David Thomson and Teresa Church.
Their goal was to restore the site back to a fully functional working distillery, which would not only secure jobs for the local community, but also breathe new life into the historical buildings and continue the legacy of the distillery.
Having seen images of the dilapidated property, it’s hard to imagine what it must have taken to bring it back to life, not just in terms of the work involved but also the cost.
But David and Teresa were undeterred, and in 2015 after a £17.5 million restoration, Annandale Distillery was once again open for business. It now attracts over 50,000 visitors each year.
A behind-the-stills tour of the distillery is recommended. Learning of its history as well as the age-old craft of whisky making is enlightening, particularly when presented by such a well-informed guide. Our own guide, Alistair, was a wealth of information, both eager and able to answer our questions.
Our tour was followed by a delicious Afternoon Tea in The Maltings, the on-site coffee shop which, as the name suggests, was the distillery’s original malting room. It’s a place where indulgence blends perfectly with tradition. It’s also dog friendly so your four-legged friend is welcome to join you. There’s even a dog friendly menu!
If Afternoon Tea is not your thing (although, it was both generous and delectable), there are plenty of other delights to choose from. And seeing as it’s distilled just across the courtyard, it would be a shame not to complement your fine fare with a wee dram – both peated and unpeated single malt whiskies are available.
If you really are a true whisky connoisseur, you may like to explore the idea of Private Cask Ownership (your own 200L) or Mature Casks (because… why wait?). These are all perfect gift ideas – for yourself or someone else – for a special occasion.
This truly was an enjoyable and educational visit. Thanks to David and Teresa, Annandale Distillery is once again thriving. So much so, it’s no longer just a distillery, it’s a destination.
For more information about Annandale Distillery, to book a tour and/or Afternoon Tea, or to enquire about cask ownership, visit www.annandaledistillery.com
