Ardgowan Distillery: A Lowland Distillery Returns to Inverkip
Updated: 4 hours ago
Ardgowan is a Lowland single malt distillery on the Ardgowan Estate near Inverkip in Inverclyde. It revives a Greenock distilling name that goes back to 1896.
In this guide
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Ardgowan at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Location / region | Lowland, Scotland |
Owner / producer | Ardgowan Distillery Company |
History | New Lowland distillery project at Inverkip developed in the 2020s. |
Style | Blended Scotch whisky |
Bottles documented | Clydebuilt Shipwright, Clydebuilt Riveter |
Before visiting | Check current public access, tour availability and opening hours directly with the producer. |
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Quick facts
Location: Ardgowan Estate, near Inverkip, Scotland
Company: Ardgowan Distillery Company, which the official site says was founded in 2017 as an independent whisky maker
Production start: June 2025, when the first cask was filled
Tours: offered from August 2025
Chief executive: Roland Grain, appointed April 2025
The original Ardgowan
The original Ardgowan distillery was founded in 1896 in Greenock at the head of Baker Street. A fire in 1903 sent a "river of flaming whisky" down the street. Before the Second World War it was converted to make industrial alcohol for RAF fuel, and it was almost destroyed in the Greenock Blitz of 7 May 1941. It was rebuilt and finally stopped production in 1952.
The new distillery
In March 2017 Inverclyde Council approved plans for a 12 million pound distillery and visitor centre on the Ardgowan Estate. Work began on the site in November 2023. The opening ceremony was held on 20 June 2025 and the first cask was filled that month.
The 20 million pound build
The Spirits Business reported that Ardgowan Distillery broke ground on the first phase of its 20 million pound whisky distillery in November 2023, after almost seven years of planning. It first gained planning permission for a single malt whisky and gin distillery and visitor centre on the Ardgowan Estate near Inverkip in March 2017, with a revised design approved in 2019. Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the project.
Capacity: up to one million litres of whisky a year, with production then expected to begin from 2024
Funding: a package of 24 million pounds secured, including more than 3.6 million pounds raised through a convertible loan note to shareholders
Design: inspired by a modern Nordic long hall, using low impact materials, and described as zero carbon
Carbon capture: a project with Heriot-Watt University and Briggs of Burton to turn fermentation carbon dioxide into green biomethane
Builder: Muir Construction, with Martin McAdam as CEO
Casks: a 100 million pound deal for a long term supply of sherry casks signed in 2023
Sources and gaps
Sources: Wikipedia, Ardgowan distillery; ardgowandistillery.com search listing. The Wikipedia text also mentions Sherry cask spending, which is not repeated here as the figure looks inconsistent
Gaps to confirm: stills, capacity, ownership structure, range, tour prices
Slug planned: ardgowan-distillery
Further source read on 21 October 2026: The Spirits Business report of 14 November 2023 on Ardgowan breaking ground.
What makes Ardgowan distinctive?
Clydebuilt labels are sourced or blended products, not necessarily mature Ardgowan-distilled single malt
Ardgowan bottle and expression comparison
Whisky Clan records these documented expressions for comparison. A historic or special edition is not necessarily available to purchase today.
Bottle or expression | Age or release | ABV | Producer information |
|---|---|---|---|
Clydebuilt Shipwright | NAS | 48% | Sourced blended malt |
Clydebuilt Riveter | 15 years | 50% | Sourced single grain |
Clydebuilt Sailmaker | Batch varies | Check label | Producer Clydebuilt series |
Clydebuilt Coppersmith | Batch varies | Check label | Producer series |
Limited and historic whisky expressions
Special and independently bottled whiskies can have different production origins from the regular distillery range.
Bottle or expression | Age or release | ABV | Producer information |
|---|---|---|---|
Clydebuilt 12 Year Old Official Opening 2025 | 12 years | Check label | Commemorative bottling |
Clydebuilt 2012 Oloroso Hogshead Single Cask | 2012 vintage | Check label | Special source cask |
Bottle ranges, casks and strengths change. The table lists documented releases, not guaranteed current stock; check the producer's labels and latest information.
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Frequently asked questions about Ardgowan
Where is Ardgowan based?
Lowland, Scotland. See the location section for the detailed site address.
Who owns Ardgowan?
Ardgowan Distillery Company.
What matters in Ardgowan's history?
New Lowland distillery project at Inverkip developed in the 2020s.
Which whiskies are associated with Ardgowan?
Clydebuilt Shipwright, Clydebuilt Riveter. Current availability varies.
Can you visit Ardgowan?
Check the producer's latest booking and visitor information; some working distilleries are not open for public tours.
Sources and editorial checks
Original research, references and historical qualifications have been retained in this article. Visitor details and expression availability are date-sensitive.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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