Port Charlotte
Region: Islay
LocationIslay
OwnerThe Bruichladdich Distillery Co. Ltd
Founded1829
StatusRebuilding
Capacity1,200,000 litres (planned)
Mothballed1929-2009
Location map
Map of distilleries on Islay

Port Charlotte distillery (also known as Rhins distillery and Lochindaal distillery) was a Scotch whisky distillery on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland from 1829 to 1929. The distillery was based in the village of Port Charlotte 2 miles (3 kilometres) southwest from the Bruichladdich distillery.[1][2]

History

Employees of the distillery in the 2nd half of the 19th century

Port Charlotte Distillery was a purpose-built distillery, founded in 1829 when it was operated by Colin Campbell. In 1831 McLennan & Grant took over for 1 year. George McLennan continued until 1835 when he was declared bankrupt. It was then operated by Walter Graham around 1837. Later the distillery was owned by Hector Henderson and James Lamont of Henderson, Lamont and Company until 1852 when they went bankrupt.[3] The lease was sold on with 29 years left for £750.[4] It then operated as the Rhins Distillery & company with John McLennan in charge until 1855.

On 18 May 1861 a fire broke out in the kiln at the distillery which resulted in the destruction of the kiln and about 20 bushels of malt. The villagers managed to extinguish the fire before the rest of the distillery was damaged.[5]

In 1864 the Inland Revenue officer, Francis Gill, who was stationed at the distillery was found drowned on 5 September in Laggan Bay.[6]

From 1855 the distillery was operated by John B Sheriff of Glasgow[7] and from 1895 J.B. Sherrif & Co Ltd until 1921. In 1921 it was acquired by Benmore Distilleries Limited which was taken over in 1929 by the Distillery Company Ltd. This resulted in the closure of the distillery.[8]

However, the buildings have remained intact.[1][2]

Revival

The brand has been revived, although the distillery as such remained closed. Whisky distilled at nearby Bruichladdich is matured in oak casks at Port Charlotte. Whiskies currently bottled there include:

  • Port Charlotte Scottish Barley, ABV 50%.[9]
  • PC 11 Heavily peated, ABV 59.8%.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Port Charlotte Distillery". Archived from the original on 31 May 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Islayinfo.com". Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  3. ↑ "Scotch Bankrupts". North British Daily Mail. Scotland. 16 June 1852. Retrieved 17 October 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ↑ "Glasgow Sales Effected in November". Glasgow Herald. Scotland. 10 December 1852. Retrieved 17 October 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ↑ "Fire in Islay". Glasgow Herald. Scotland. 24 May 1861. Retrieved 17 October 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ↑ "Islay". Glasgow Weekly Mail. Scotland. 17 September 1864. Retrieved 17 October 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ↑ "The Distilleries of Islay". Coleraine Chronicle. Northern Ireland. 29 August 1874. Retrieved 17 October 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ↑ "The First Cut is the Steepest". Bruichladdich. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  9. ↑ Port Charlotte Scottish Barley
  10. ↑ Port Charlotte PC 11

55°44′23″N 6°22′42″W / 55.73972°N 6.37833°W / 55.73972; -6.37833


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