Region: Island | |
---|---|
Location | Uig, Isle of Lewis |
Coordinates | 58°10′15″N 7°02′41″W / 58.17083°N 7.04472°W |
Founded | 2008 [1] |
Abhainn Dearg | |
Type | Single malt, Scotch |
Age(s) | newmake spirit, 3 years |
Cask type(s) | American White Oak, Ex-Bourbon Casks (Main) Ex Sherry Casks |
ABV | 46%, 56%, 58% |
Abhainn Dearg distillery ( /ˈævɪn ˈdʒɛərɡ/ AV-in JAIRG) or Red River distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery in Uig, on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. [2] It is the most westerly distillery in Scotland. The name is Scottish Gaelic for "Red River" which itself takes its name from a bloody skirmish in the dark ages when local people won a battle against Viking marauders. [2]
Under the ownership of Mark Tayburn, the distillery commenced production in September 2008. [2] The distillery was built in a former salmon hatchery (and some of the pens are still in use producing fish). [2] The still house is a new building and incorporates titled still heads in an unusual design modelled on former illicit stills in the area [2] The distillery uses water from nearby Loch Raonasgail via the Abhainn Dearg. [2]
The first whisky was released in 2011 and was named the "Spirit of Lewis". [2]
A 40% abv new make spirit aged for a few months on sherry oak casks.
Matured in Sherry hogshead cask for three months and bottled at natural strength 56%.
Matured in Bourbon casks and bottled at 46% with just 3 years old. A limited edition inaugural release of 2,011 bottles.
Miniature bottling of the 3 year old Scotch matured in a Bourbon barrel and bottled at natural strength 58%.
Matured in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 46% ABV it is the oldest whisky to be produced by a legal distillery in the Outer Hebrides.