Dunnet Bay Distillers, the eco-friendly Caithness-based Scottish Distillery which has until now made only gin and vodka, has revealed details of its new whisky distillery along with the new brand, Stannergill Whisky – to reflect the place on the most northerly coast of the UK where the whisky is to be distilled.
The company has also revealed its early bird investment opportunities in the £4million development project and has launched three prospects for people to engage with the new venture.
Investors can pre-order a for a 250-litre cask of Stannergill Whisky for GBP £4,750. These are being sold by the Whisky Hammer in a sale that went live this week. With only 200 casks available, over 60 were sold within the first 2 hours.
Stannergill Whisky is also launching a virtual club called the 1818 Society – the year the original Mill building was constructed. Priced at £750 per membership, the members club is for whisky and history lovers, who also want to be a part of the unique project to revitalise the grain mill into a state-of-the-art craft whisky distillery and world class visitor experience.
‘The 1818’ – the first release of Stannergill Whisky – will be exclusively sent to 1818 Society members, bearing their personal membership number.
The StoneScape artwork for this exclusive release has been designed by local artist, Lisa Poulson, using a stone from the mill building. As part of this package, members will also receive their choice of a beautiful brooch or pin, hand made using stone from the mill by local jewellery designer Lindsey Gallacher.
Finally, the third fund-raising initiative, called Raise the Roof, enables supporters to sponsor a tile of the roof – along with the co-ordinates of their tile – as part of the refurbishment of Stannergill Whisky’s historic 200-year-old Castletown Mill. Sponsors will also receive a certificate and a commemorative Caithness flagstone designed in conjunction with local firm, Norse Stone.
Martin Murray, co-founder and co-director of Dunnet Bay Distillers, said: “We have long travelled past the beautiful but dilapidated mill with thoughts to one day being able to restore it. We even know one person, now in her 90s, who was born there. However, is has been disused for over 30 years. Our dream became reality when we took ownership of this iconic building and then attained planning permission to refurbish it as a destination distillery and visitor centre. The project will see a wonderful new-style Scottish whisky being launched after the distillery is commissioned in Summer 2024. The project will bring more jobs to the area.”
Claire Murray, fellow founder and director, said: “We are excited to launch these early opportunities for people not only locally but across the world to get involved by buying a stake in the new whisky – whether that be sponsorship of a tile; joining our new 1818 Club; or investing in a cask.”
Like the sister brands, Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka, Stannergill Whisky will be made to sustainable principles with local provenance at the heart of the brand.
The company is working with local farmers to decide on the cultivation of a specially commissioned heritage barley offering price stability to the farmers for this crop.
There will be a specially designed stills made to the company’s specification. Bourbon casks from the US and sherry casks from Spain will be employed to mature the spirt. Biodiversity is a key part of the plans. The old Castletown Mill Pond is being relined and water diverted from the local burns, as it used to be, to supply cooling water and to help with wildlife in the area. Local sourcing will be used where possible. The distillery will be powered by green electricity, in line with the eco-friendly ethos of the business as a whole.
The whisky style will be light and fruitier than many traditional Scottish whiskies. The taste profile will reflect the distinctive coastal location of the distillery, where Claire and Martin Murray both grew up. Pricing has yet to be revealed but it is expected to be a super-premium or ultra-premium whisky.