Lowland /

Kingsbarns

Kingsbarns distillery near St Andrews on the East Neuk of Fife is one of a collection of new small producing whisky distilleries that have appeared in Scotland over the last 10 years. The story of Kingsbarns Single Malt Scotch Whisky began in 2015 with the conversion of a historic and semi-derelict farm stead into a distillery.

Originally built around 1800 as part of East Newhall Farm by Thomas Erskine, the ninth Earl of Kellie, this charming Georgian farm steading once serviced nearby Cambo House and the Estate. One of the most striking architectural features at Kingsbarns Distillery is the doocot, originally a free-standing structure that resembles a miniature fortified tower. Its scores of neatly formed terracotta nesting boxes housed a flock of plump pigeons to supply the laird’s kitchen with meat and eggs. The sandstone masonry of the doocot has been carefully restored with over 600 terracotta ‘doo boxes’ conserved and the pantiled roof replaced in the traditional Dutch style as is synonymous with the East Neuk.

The Wemyss family have had a longstanding passion for malt whisky and their connections with the industry date back to the turn of the 19th century when John Haig (founder of Haig’s) built his first distillery on Wemyss land. “This rare opportunity to distil our own single malt whisky and develop a new Scotch whisky brand to support our existing business as an independent bottler will secure the family interest in Scotch for the next generation.”

The lowland whisky is of light and fruity character using the freshest local ingredients including Fife-grown barley and water from an aquifer on-site. This has allowed Kingsbarns first whisky ‘Dream to Dram’ to be produced and matured in Bourbon Barrels.

Kingsbarns is a proudly family-owned and operated company. Their four ‘brand pillars’; place to process, people to passion, have created a passion and are the key elements that make Kingsbarns’ unique spirit for years to come.