Port Charlotte distillery explained

Port Charlotte
Type:Islay
Location:Islay
Owner:The Bruichladdich Distillery Co. Ltd
Founded:1829
Status:Converted into a whisky warehouse facility
Mothballed:1929-2009
Misc Heading:Location map

Port Charlotte distillery (also known as Rhins distillery and Lochindaal distillery) is a inactive Islay single malt Scotch whisky distillery on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland.

The distillery is based in the village of Port Charlotte 30NaN0 southwest from the Bruichladdich distillery.[1] [2]

History

Port Charlotte Distillery was a purpose-built distillery, founded in 1829 when it was operated by Colin Campbell. In 1831 McLennan & Grant took over for 1 year. George McLennan continued until 1835 when he was declared bankrupt. It was then operated by Walter Graham around 1837. Later the distillery was owned by Hector Henderson and James Lamont of Henderson, Lamont and Company until 1852 when they went bankrupt.[3] The lease was sold on with 29 years left for £750.[4] It then operated as the Rhins Distillery & company with John McLennan in charge until 1855.

On 18 May 1861 a fire broke out in the kiln at the distillery which resulted in the destruction of the kiln and about 20 bushels of malt. The villagers managed to extinguish the fire before the rest of the distillery was damaged.[5]

In 1864 the Inland Revenue officer, Francis Gill, who was stationed at the distillery was found drowned on 5 September in Laggan Bay.[6]

From 1855 the distillery was operated by John B Sheriff of Glasgow[7] and from 1895 J.B. Sherrif & Co Ltd until 1921. In 1921 it was acquired by Benmore Distilleries Limited which was taken over in 1929 by the Distillery Company Ltd. This resulted in the closure of the distillery.[8]

Revival

After been bought by The Bruichladdich Distillery Co. Ltd, the brand has been revived, although the distillery as such remained closed. Whisky distilled at nearby Bruichladdich distillery is matured in oak casks at Port Charlotte warehouses.[9] Whiskies currently matured there include:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Port Charlotte Distillery. https://web.archive.org/web/20100531175853/http://www.bruichladdich.com/latestnewsarticles/portcharlottedistillery.htm. 2010-05-31. 2010-08-01. dead.
  2. Web site: Islayinfo.com . 2010-08-01 . 28 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170528083514/http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_port_charlotte_distillery.html . dead .
  3. News: . Scotch Bankrupts . North British Daily Mail . Scotland . 16 June 1852 . 17 October 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  4. News: . Glasgow Sales Effected in November . Glasgow Herald . Scotland . 10 December 1852 . 17 October 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  5. News: . Fire in Islay . Glasgow Herald . Scotland . 24 May 1861 . 17 October 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  6. News: . Islay . Glasgow Weekly Mail . Scotland . 17 September 1864 . 17 October 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  7. News: . The Distilleries of Islay . Coleraine Chronicle . Northern Ireland . 29 August 1874 . 17 October 2021 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  8. Web site: The First Cut is the Steepest. Bruichladdich. 2010-08-01.
  9. Web site: Micallef . Joseph V. . The Relaunch of Port Charlotte 10 YO . 2024-07-06 . Forbes . en.
  10. http://www.bruichladdich.com/the-whisky/port-charlotte/port-charlotte-scottish-barley Port Charlotte Scottish Barley
  11. http://www.bruichladdich.com/the-whisky/port-charlotte/port-charlotte-pc11 Port Charlotte PC 11