Nc'nean Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located in Drimnin on the Morvern peninsula in the Highlands of Scotland. The distillery is situated beside the Sound of Mull, opposite the Isle of Mull. The name Nc'nean is derived from "Neachneohain," a figure in Gaelic legend known as the Queen of Spirits, and is pronounced "Nc-ne-an."

History

Nc'nean Distillery was founded by Annabel Thomas and began production in 2017. Initial funding for the distillery came from a combination of family, friends, loans, seed investors under the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, and a £600,000 grant from the EU via the Scottish Government. One notable investor is Jeremy Paxman, who owns a 0.6% stake in the distillery. The distillery's first master distiller, Jim Swan, passed away suddenly just before the first distillation in 2017. The current master distiller is Gordon Wood, formerly of Diageo.

In March 2020, Nc'nean raised £1.7 million to support its expansion. In August 2020, the distillery's inaugural bottle of single malt Scotch whisky was sold at auction for £41,004, with the proceeds going to charity. Nc'nean became a certified B Corp in February 2022, reflecting its commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

Production

Nc'nean Distillery focuses on producing organic spirits with minimal environmental impact. It was the first distillery in the UK to achieve net zero carbon emissions during whisky production. The distillery uses renewable electricity, offsets its emissions through forest planting, and employs 100% recycled glass for its bottles. The whisky produced is unpeated.

In addition to single malt whisky, Nc'nean also produces a botanical spirit, which is an unaged whisky (newmake) spirit mixed with botanicals. This botanical spirit was first released in September 2018.

Nc'nean has released several special bottlings and series:

• Quiet Rebels Series: The first bottling, named after founder Annabel Thomas, was released in November 2021. The second release, named Lorna after the distillery's first employee Lorna Davidson, came out in September/October 2022. The third bottling, named Gordon after the distillery manager, followed in the fall of 2023.
• Huntress Series: The first bottling, "Huntress '2022'," was launched in April 2022, with the second release in April 2023 and the third in 2024.
• Nc'nean Aon: A single cask bottling for the German market, aged four years and matured in an ex-cream sherry hogshead.
• Nc'nean Aon Cask 18-294: The second single cask release for the German market, launched in February 2023.

Sustainability

Nc'nean Distillery prides itself on its sustainability initiatives. It operates with renewable electricity and uses recycled materials extensively, reflecting its dedication to environmental stewardship. The distillery's innovative approach has set a benchmark for sustainable practices in the whisky industry.