Moffat distillery

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Moffat
Moffat Distillery Logo.png
The Moffat Distillery - geograph.org.uk - 7912533.jpg
View of the exterior of Moffat Distillery
LocationHearthlands, Old Carlisle Road, Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway, DG10 9FE, Scotland, United Kingdom
Coordinates 55°19′24″N3°25′52″W / 55.3232°N 3.4311°W / 55.3232; -3.4311
OwnerDark Sky Spirits
Founded2023;3 years ago (2023)
FounderNick Bullard
Erin Bullard
ArchitectOrganic Architects [1] [2]
Capacity12,000 litres [3]
Location
Moffat distillery

Moffat distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky and moonshine distillery in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway. The distillery is notable for operating the only wood-fired stills in Scotland. [4] [5]

Contents

History

The company was founded in 2017 as an independent bottler called Dark Sky Spirits, operated by married couple Nick and Erin Bullard, who had moved to Moffat in 2015. [6] : 38 

In 2019, the decision was made to move into distilling, and an appropriate location was sought. Plans were approved by Dumfries and Galloway council in January 2020, and Dark Sky Spirits broke ground at the current site in Moffat in 2021. [2] [5] The distillery was projected to produce roughly 30,000 liters of whiskey per year. [7] Construction was part-funded by an award of £320,000 from the Scottish Government via the South of Scotland Economic Partnership. [8] The building was designed to replicate the style of the surrounding farm buildings. [1]

The distillery initially made gin, with the first cask of whisky being filled in March 2024. [4] Only 40 casks were filled in the first year of production. [6] : 39 

The distillery opened to the public in July 2023. [9] They offer distillery tours, a bar, and occasional live music. [5] There are occasional limited editional bottlings released in partnership with local charities and organisations, including with Moffat Mountain Rescue Team and Moffat Golden Eagle Festival. [4]

Production

Moffat distillery operate traditional wooden washbacks and worm tub condensers. [2] Uniquely for a Scotch whisky distillery, the stills are direct-fired using wood as fuel. [6] : 38  The site does not have a full-size operating floor; rather, access to the washbacks and stills is via a gantry. [1]

Reception and awards

Moffat Moonshine was awarded Gold at the IWSC in 2025. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Lowland-New Build-Under Construction, Moffat Distillery". Organic Architects. Archived from the original on 7 January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Bellwood, Owen (30 January 2020). "Moffat distillery plans get green light". The Spirits Business. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  3. ↑ Ronde, Ingvar (2025). Malt Whisky Yearbook 2026. Shrewsbury: MagDig Media Limited. p. 182. ISBN   978-1-7394492-2-3.
  4. 1 2 3 Hogarth, Carol (29 July 2024). "The Moffat Distillery: witness the distilling process". Dumfries & Galloway Life. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Youngman, Angela (2026). The Whisky and Gin Lover's Guide to Scotland. Philadelphia: White Owl. p. 157. ISBN   978-1-0361-1779-5.
  6. 1 2 3 Grieg, Donald; Flint, Darren (2025). Slow Travel: Dumfries & Galloway (3rd ed.). Chesham: Bradt Travel Guides.
  7. ↑ "Moffat whisky distillery project given go-ahead". BBC. 29 January 2020. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  8. ↑ Carruthers, Nicola (30 January 2020). "Whisky distillery to open in Moffat after funding boost". The Spirits Business. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  9. ↑ Reid, Fiona (14 July 2023). "That's the spirit!". DNG Online. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  10. ↑ Awale, Ambarish (3 June 2025). "Small Scottish distillery wins international award for wood-fired drink". Archived from the original on 20 July 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
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