Ben Wyvis distillery

Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Ben Wyvis’ remit was to provide unpeated malt whisky for the Whyte & Mackay blend, which was swiftly gaining a following across much of the UK, particularly in Scotland. Only a small handful of official and independent bottlings were ever released.

Curiously, at a time when many new distilleries were installing stainless steel washbacks, the six at Ben Wyvis were made of cast iron.

Map
  • Region
    Highland
  • Production type
    Single malt
  • Distillery Status
    Demolished

Ben Wyvis History

The Invergordon grain distillery was built by Invergordon Distillers in 1961 in response to soaring demand for bulk grain whisky for blends. Four years later a malt whisky distillery, Ben Wyvis, was built within the complex to provide malt whisky for the Whyte & Mackay blend. It was named after a lost distillery (which was also known as Ferintosh), in nearby Dingwall, which closed in 1926.

Ben Wyvis was here and gone in a flash – by 1976, after just 11 years’ operation, it was permanently demolished. Its stills were saved, and eventually transferred to Glengyle distillery in Campbeltown.

Timeline

  • 1959 Invergordon distillery is founded by Invergordon Distillers
  • 1960 Invergordon's ownership passes to London Merchant Securities, which takes over construction of the distillery
  • 1961 Invergordon distillery is opened with just one Coffey still in operation
  • 1965 The distillery is passed back to the control of invergordon Distillers (Holdings) Ltd, which builds Ben Wyvis malt distillery within the complex
  • 1976 After just 11 years operation, Ben Wyvis distillery is demolished

Ben Wyvis Facts

  • Grist Weight (t) i
    2
  • Malt Specification i
    unpeated
  • Spirit Still Size (l) i
    10,000
  • Stills i
    2
  • Wash Still Size (l) i
    10,000
  • Washback Type i
    Cast iron
  • Washbacks i
    6

Owners

Parent company

Current owner

Previous owner

Contact

Address
Ben Wyvis Distillery
Golf View Terrace
Invergordon
Ross-shire
IV18 0HP
United Kingdom
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See also

  • Dalmore Dalmore Dalmore Distillery & brand

    Dalmore

    Whyte & Mackay's Highlands distillery.

  • Fettercairn Fettercairn Fettercairn Distillery & brand

    Fettercairn

    Aberdeenshire site in the W&M stable.

  • Jura Jura Jura Distillery & brand

    Jura

    Single malt from the island of Jura.

  • Tamnavulin Tamnavulin Tamnavulin Distillery & brand

    Tamnavulin

    Speyside provider of malt for blends.

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