Kingsbarns

Introduction:

Kingsbarns Distillery, situated in the picturesque Kingdom of Fife, is renowned for producing fruity, light, and complex whisky. The distillery’s inaugural Single Malt release, named ‘Dream to Dram’, represents the realization of the Wemyss family’s long – held aspiration to create their own distinctive whisky.

Production:

With an annual production capacity of around 200,000 liters of new make spirit, Kingsbarns employs a unique water sourcing method. Instead of relying on rivers or lakes like other distilleries, they extract mineral – rich groundwater by drilling a well approximately 100 meters deep. This approach ensures a consistent water supply, unaffected by dry spells during hot summer months. Additionally, the distillery features a biological treatment plant to purify the process water, maintaining high standards of quality and sustainability.

Pot Stills:

Kingsbarns employs two Scottish medium-sized stills crafted by Richard Forsyth of Rothes. The Wash Still, capable of holding around 8,000 liters, and the Spirit Still, with a capacity of approximately 4,800 liters, both feature wide necks and slightly downward sloping lyne arms. These elements contribute to the unique character of the spirit produced at Kingsbarns.

Malting:

To create their malt, Kingsbarns sources Concerto barley exclusively from three local farms in Fife. The barley undergoes malting at the ‘Muntons’ malthouse, where traditional methods are employed, excluding the use of peat fire. This choice imparts distinct flavors and characteristics to the whisky.

Mashing:

The malted barley is processed using a ‘Buhler’ malt mill, resulting in a mixture comprising 20% pods, 70% malt, and 10% flour. The semi-lauter tun, with a capacity of 7,000 liters, is used for mashing. Hot water is added to the malt, converting the starches into fermentable sugars, yielding a liquid called ‘wort.’ Each mash cycle involves combining 1.5 tons of malt with 5,800 liters of hot water to maximize sugar extraction. This three – step process ensures efficiency and consistency, with the water from the third wash reused in subsequent mashes.

Fermenting:

The wort undergoes fermentation in 11,000-liter stainless steel washbacks. Kingsbarns utilizes dry yeast strains such as ‘Anchor’ and ‘SafWhiskyM1’ to instill a fruity character in the spirit. The fermentation process is deliberately extended, ranging from 65 to 85 hours, to develop the desired fruity flavors. At the conclusion of fermentation, the resulting liquid, known as ‘wash’, contains approximately 8% alcohol by volume.

Storage:

After distillation, the New Make Spirit, with an initial alcohol content of 72% vol., is transferred to an alcohol container, where it is gradually reduced to 63.5% vol. before being filled into casks. Due to limited space, the majority of Kingsbarns whisky matures in ex-Bourbon barrels, sourced from the United States. Additionally, larger barrels such as Sherry casks or Port Wine barrels are reprocessed and recharred using the STR procedure (Shaved, Toasted, and Recharred) to enhance flavor profiles.

History:

The Kingsbarns Distillery was established within the premises of the former Georgian East Newhall Farm, which dates back to approximately 1800. The founder, Douglas Clement, sought to blend the preservation of historic buildings with the construction of a modern Malt Whisky distillery. Notably, the distillery building features an old covered walkway, once used for grain processing by animals. This space has been transformed into the reception area, offering visitors a glimpse into the distillery’s rich heritage.

Visitor Center:

Kingsbarns boasts a visitor center that houses an exhibition, showcasing the first filled barrel produced by the distillery. Additionally, the center offers a modern café, creating an inviting atmosphere for guests to relax and enjoy refreshments. A cozy tasting room is available for private whisky tastings, allowing visitors to savor the flavors of Kingsbarns’ offerings. Furthermore, a shop is on-site, providing an opportunity to purchase whisky-related products. The visitor center operates seven days a week and offers a variety of tours that can be booked through phone, email, or the Kingsbarns website.

Visitor information:

Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre
East Newhall Farm
Kingsbarns
Fife
KY16 8QE
Tel: +44(0)1333-451300