Benbecula Distillery has appointed its first manager as it gets ready for its inaugural limited edition cask release at the start of August.
Islander, Mary Margaret Connarty, who left the island at the age of 18 is returning home after working at the North British Distillery for almost 18 years. Initially employed as a chemist, she has been laboratory manager at the grain distillery for the past six years.
Mary Margaret, who takes up her new post in August, said, “Because I did chemistry, I never thought I’d get back to Benbecula, as there just weren’t those kind of jobs there.
“I’ve always wanted to return and my husband, who’s from the mainland, absolutely loves the island too. Our boys are aged one and four and we’re delighted that they will be able to enjoy a Benbecula childhood and a Gaelic education, like I did
“It’s fantastic that the distillery is creating new opportunities on the island and I jumped at the chance when I was offered job as manager. There’s already a great team there and I’m really looking forward to working with them and learning from them as we continue to build this exciting new business.”
Benbecula Distillery’s new single malt has been created by master distiller Brendan McCarron, who has revived a recipe last used by distilleries such as Glen Ord and Highland Park in the 19th century. The malting technique involves kilning over fires laid with peat and foraged heather.
According to Brendan, the spirit will be “classically maritime in style; smoky on the nose, with salty and sweetly peated notes.” This will be achieved using light to medium peated malted barley, “so that the smoke does not dominate and allows fruity and floral notes to shine through.”
First-fill 250-litre Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks will be used in the maturation of the inaugural Benbecula single malt spirit being released for sale next week
Founded and owned by local businessman and crofter Angus MacMillan, the distillery has already created ten new jobs for local people and the workforce is expected to continue to grow to around 25. It is also helping support a total of 75 direct and indirect roles.
Angus said,”Over the years so many young people have left wonderful island places like Benbecula to pursue their education, but have been unable to return because of the lack of job opportunities.
“So, I am absolutely delighted that we have not only been able to recruit someone of Mary Margaret’s calibre, but also to give her the opportunity she had always wanted to come home, continue her career and, with her husband, raise her two boys here.
“With spirit production now in full swing and our inaugural cask release just days away, she is joining us at an exciting and busy time and we are very much looking forward to welcoming her to our growing team.”
Benbecula Distillery distillery’s design and distilling process incorporate pioneering and innovative low-carbon technologies, where the heat recovery systems are the first in the Scotch whisky industry.
Around 350,000 litres of whisky will be produced there annually, with bourbon and sherry casks being used in the maturation. Benbecula Gin will also be produced there, and the company’s own rum will be available from the distillery.