Kingsbarns Distillery
Distillery
Founded in 2014
Kingsbarns Distillery is located at 6 miles from St. Andrews, just outside of Kingsbarns village, on the Combo Estate in the Lowlands.
A former golf caddie Douglas Clement, is the brains behind this project. He raised £100,000 from investors whom he met during his caddie profession. Despite his fundraising attempts, he couldn't make the necessary money, which was around £1.6m.
Luckily, he had a good connection with the Wemyss Family, who had a historical link with the site. In 2013, he signed a deal with the family, and in 18 months the distillery was built.
On November 30th, 2014 the distillery was founded, and they started production. Kingsbarns has 4 stainless steel washbacks, and a pair of stills. The wash still has a capacity of 8,000 liters, and spirit still has a capacity of 4,800 liters.
The spirit fills only 24 casks per week, 85% of which are first fill Heaven Hill ex-Bourbon casks, about 10% José & Miguel Martin ex-Sherry casks and the remaining 5% ex-Port Barriques. Their spirit is still too young, but they are expecting their first dram of single malt in 2018.
A former golf caddie Douglas Clement, is the brains behind this project. He raised £100,000 from investors whom he met during his caddie profession. Despite his fundraising attempts, he couldn't make the necessary money, which was around £1.6m.
Luckily, he had a good connection with the Wemyss Family, who had a historical link with the site. In 2013, he signed a deal with the family, and in 18 months the distillery was built.
On November 30th, 2014 the distillery was founded, and they started production. Kingsbarns has 4 stainless steel washbacks, and a pair of stills. The wash still has a capacity of 8,000 liters, and spirit still has a capacity of 4,800 liters.
The spirit fills only 24 casks per week, 85% of which are first fill Heaven Hill ex-Bourbon casks, about 10% José & Miguel Martin ex-Sherry casks and the remaining 5% ex-Port Barriques. Their spirit is still too young, but they are expecting their first dram of single malt in 2018.
Distillery Details
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CountryUnited Kingdom, Scotland
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Region
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Established2014
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OwnerWemyss Vintage Malts
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TypeUnaged Spirits
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Number of stills2
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Visitor CenterYes
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StatusActive
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AddressKingsbarns Distillery East Newhall Farm Kingsbarns Fife KY16 8QE United Kingdom
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Phone+44 1333 451300
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Website
Dog Dogson's
Smartass
Corner
Corner
Douglas Clement was a golf caddie for 13 years. He collected business cards from wealthy golfers, in order to achieve his lifelong goal of opening a distillery.
The Scottish Government gave Clement a fat £670,000 grant, but even that was not enough to start the business.
The Scottish Government gave Clement a fat £670,000 grant, but even that was not enough to start the business.
About
Lowlands
Perching just above England, the Lowlands can play truant from peat or salinity.
Triple distilled malts are characteristic of the Lowland region, offering a gentle, elegant palate reminiscent of grass, honeysuckle, cream, ginger, toffee, toast and cinnamon.
The Lowlands are master of the Whisky blend and are also known for their silent stills, which sadly no longer produce.
Learn more about Lowland distilleries.
Triple distilled malts are characteristic of the Lowland region, offering a gentle, elegant palate reminiscent of grass, honeysuckle, cream, ginger, toffee, toast and cinnamon.
The Lowlands are master of the Whisky blend and are also known for their silent stills, which sadly no longer produce.
Learn more about Lowland distilleries.
Video from Kingsbarns
Video transcription
Man: Those are pictures that we got from a pilot who's up in the sky there. All these beautiful scenes looking down at Kingsbarns.
Woman: Kingsbarns is in the East Neuk of Fife, and it's only 6.5 half miles away from the home of golf. The name comes from the location of the barns, which were used to store grains before being transported to the Royal Castle of Crail and the palace of Falklands.
The golf course takes pride of place, and was established in 1922. Where there was a nine-hole course designed by Willie Auchterlonie. It was updated as recently as July 2000. And along with the annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, it has hosted two top amateur events. The St. Andrews and the Jack Nicklaus [SP] trophies. In 2017 the course will open it's doors to the world's best female golfers, for the Women's British Open.
You can't get two more Scottish things than golf and Whisky. And Kingsbarns has got both of these on it's doorstep. Our Whisky distillery is the latest addition to the area. Which means that all those thirsty golfers can stop off for dram or two, before heading off to play their next 18 holes. There are certainly worse ways to spend the day.
Woman: Kingsbarns is in the East Neuk of Fife, and it's only 6.5 half miles away from the home of golf. The name comes from the location of the barns, which were used to store grains before being transported to the Royal Castle of Crail and the palace of Falklands.
The golf course takes pride of place, and was established in 1922. Where there was a nine-hole course designed by Willie Auchterlonie. It was updated as recently as July 2000. And along with the annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, it has hosted two top amateur events. The St. Andrews and the Jack Nicklaus [SP] trophies. In 2017 the course will open it's doors to the world's best female golfers, for the Women's British Open.
You can't get two more Scottish things than golf and Whisky. And Kingsbarns has got both of these on it's doorstep. Our Whisky distillery is the latest addition to the area. Which means that all those thirsty golfers can stop off for dram or two, before heading off to play their next 18 holes. There are certainly worse ways to spend the day.
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