New Kingsbarns Distillery officially opens in Fife
Kingsbarns, which is located in The East Neuk of Fife, overlooking the world-renowned Kingsbarns Championship golf course, is the only whisky distillery in the St Andrews area.
Director William Wemyss and Distillery Founder Douglas Clement marked the launch of the Distillery on St Andrews Day with an official plaque unveiling at a private event attended by industry leaders, close friends and family.
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Internationally acclaimed musician James Yorkston, who hails from the Kingsbarns area, celebrated the occasion by performing an intimate set for the guests, which included a self-penned song entitled ‘Ode to the opening of the Kingsbarns Distillery’.
Speaking on behalf of the Wemyss family - who also own independent bottlers Wemyss malts - Director William Wemyss said: “Since we bought the Kingsbarns project in 2013 it has been a very exciting year for us. Building a whisky distillery is a once in a generation opportunity and we are looking forward to playing our part in bringing a reinvigoration to the Kingdom of Fife.”
The Scottish Government also helped to support the development and creation of the distillery with a European Food Processing and Marketing grant. MSP Richard Lochhead said: “I’d like to congratulate the Wemyss family and their investors for creating and opening The Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre here in Fife. This will provide a fantastic added tourist attraction for the many thousands of golf lovers who flock to the ‘Home of Golf’ at St Andrews each year.
“The Scottish Government, which provided support for this project through the Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation Grant Scheme, welcomes this new distillery to the family of Scottish Craft Distilleries. As well as creating jobs, it will also further enhance the area in terms of tourism activity, bringing Whisky aficionados and golfers to this part of Fife.
“2015 is the Year of Food and Drink in Scotland: a time for us to celebrate our rich natural larder and incredible offering of some of the finest luxury products in the world. Our whisky is second to none and I have every confidence that The Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre will enrich our reputation for exceptional whisky offerings even further. I wish the Wemyss family the very best of luck in their endeavor.”
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, who is looking forward to seeing the distilly add to the area’s rich tourist industry, said:
“Whisky and golf are two of Scotland’s greatest gifts to the world, each playing a vital role in supporting our tourism industry. The new Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre will not only boost Fife’s tourism offering, it provides the perfect opportunity to unite golf fans with our national drink. Sampling local produce is among the top activities undertaken by visitors Scotland. I congratulate the Wemyss family and their investors on what I’m sure will be a popular attraction in the Year of Food and Drink 2015.”
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Hide AdThe new Kingsbarns Single Malt Scotch whisky will be classified in as a Lowlands whisky and will be available after a minimum of three years maturation in oak casks. Fife grown malted barley has been secured to make the spirit and it will be matured predominantly in ex-Bourbon casks. The visitor centre offers a unique opportunity for guests to watch the process first-hand and be part of the history of the Kingsbarns Single Scotch Malt Whisky in the making.
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• Tours can be arranged by contacting: +44(0)1333 451300, www.kingsbarnsdistillery.com
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