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Everything you need to know about Annandale Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Annandale Lowlands Whisky 2014 Man O' Sword Cask 98£289.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Annandale, Lowlands Region, Scotland. Founded in 1836
A Resurrection with Soul
Imagine a distillery that sat silent for almost a century, then came back stronger— that's Annandale. Originally built in the 1830s by George Donald, it was one of Scotland’s early legal whisky makers, tucked in near Annan, Dumfries & Galloway. Through the years it changed hands, helped build blends like Johnnie Walker, then closed during the turbulence after the First World War. But in the 21st century a couple, Professor David Thomson and Teresa Church, rescued it. After a major restoration, Annandale re‑opened in 2014, bringing new life to its pink sandstone buildings, iconic pagoda roof, and the heritage inside. Today it makes single malt Scotch whisky with pride—both peated and unpeated—under names like Man O’Words and Man O’Sword. If you like whisky that tells a story in every sip, Annandale delivers.
Flavour Profile:
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 |
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| Peaty / Smoky |
Fruity
|
Sweet |
Annandale is renowned for its expressive single malts, especially in its dual expressions. The distillery is particularly known for producing both peated and unpeated whiskies, which bring contrast between smoky edges and gentle sweetness. Key flavour characteristics include:
• Orchard fruit like apple and pear balanced with honeyed warmth
• Soft vanilla and gentle oak influence from maturation
• Smoky peat in the peated bottles, adding waxy smoke rather than a blast
• Light malt biscuit tones and a clean finishanCnoc is known for its elegant, approachable single malts. The whisky is particularly famous for its soft fruit, honeyed smoothness, and at times a gentle peat note. Key flavour characteristics include:
• Orchard fruit (apple, pear) balanced with vanilla sweetness
• Warm honey tones with caramel/toffee warmth
• Light spice and oak in the maturation finish
• Occasionally, peat smoke in some expressions, offering a mellow smoky contrast
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Honey |
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Vanilla |
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Apple / Pear |
|
Peat Smoke |
Popular Bottles
Here are some of the most famous and easier‑found releases you’ll see from Annandale:
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Man O’Words – the unpeated single malt, smooth and fruity
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Man O’Sword – the peated counterpart, smoky and bold
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2014 First Release Casks – among the earliest Annandale single malts after restoration
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Founders’ Selection / Single Cask Editions – special bottlings chosen by the owners, showcasing unusual casks (sherry, bourbon etc.)
Annandale Lowlands Whisky 2015 Man O' Words Single Sherry Cask 339
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The Distillery
Annandale
Address:Annandale Distillery, Annan, Dumfries & Galloway, DG12, Scotland
 Open in maps |
 https://www.annandaledistillery.com/ |
 tel:+44 1461 207817 |
Visiting Annandale Distillery:
Visitor Centre & Tours:
Yes — Annandale has a visitor centre. Tours operate daily (except on major holidays), with several types: a classic hour‑long tour, longer historical tours, and masterclass tastings. The onsite café (The Maltings Coffee Shop) lets you relax after the tour. Hours are generally 10am to 4pm
Ownership & History
The distillery has passed through several hands over the decades:
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1836: Founded by George Donald
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1883: Sold to John Sykes Gardner, who made key improvements
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1893: Acquired by Johnnie Walker & Sons
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1920s: Closed and fell silent for almost a century
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2007: Purchased and revived by Professor David Thomson & Teresa Church
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2014: Reopened and began production of single malt whisky once again
The distillery today remains in private ownership under David and Teresa, who are deeply involved in its direction and philosophy.
Distillery Facts
Basic Info & History
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Founded in 1836 by George Donald.
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Was purchased by Johnnie Walker & Sons in the 1890s.
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Closed in the early 20th century (around 1924) after ceasing production post‑World War I.
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The site was largely unused or repurposed until bought in 2007 by David Thomson and Teresa Church.
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After renovation and restoration, whisky production resumed in 2014.
Location & Region
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Located in Annan, Dumfries & Galloway in the Lowlands region of Scotland.
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Situated very close to the Scottish‑English border.
Production Details & Capacity
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Has one wash still and two spirit stills.
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Wash still holds about 12,000 litres; spirit stills about 4,000 litres each.
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Annual production capacity is around 250,000–260,000 litres (pure alcohol) per year.
Styles & Expressions
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Produces both unpeated single malt ("Man O’ Words") and peated single malt ("Man O’ Sword").
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The names draw on Scottish history: “Man O’ Words” refers to Robert Burns, “Man O’ Sword” refers to Robert the Bruce.
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Cask types include ex‑bourbon, sherry butts, and specially treated oak casks (e.g. STR: shaved, toasted, re‑charred).
Distinctive Features
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The distillery was restored with attention to heritage: original pink sandstone buildings, one of the few remaining original Charles Doig pagoda‑roof malt kilns.
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Twin spirit stills design helps remove undesirable sulphur compounds and improve purity of spirit.
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Long fermentation periods (approximately 66–96 hours) help develop fruitiness and complexity.
Recognition & Experience
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First single malt release was from spirit distilled in 2014, after the re‑opening, officially bottled in 2018.
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Offers tours, tastings, and visitor centre facilities.
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Known for single cask selections and limited edition releases, including “Founders’ Selection”.
Annandale Whisky to Buy
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