The team behind acclaimed independent bottler Living Souls has announced the launch of Drummygar Distillery, a bold new venture that combines traditional farming and modern craftsmanship.
Led by John Torrance, whose quarter-century of distilling experience spans Diageo, Douglas Laing and Living Souls, the distillery project is a labour of love with a true ‘farm to glass’ ethos.
One-time Young Distiller of the Year Zak Shenfield, formerly of Strathearn Distillery and BrewDog, has been appointed Operations Director and Head Distiller.
Production at Drummygar commenced in August 2025, marking the start of a long-term journey to craft a signature house style, with the distillery’s maiden whiskies expected in 8-12 years’ time.
Notably, the small working Drummygar farm uses heritage Chevallier barley sustainably tended by Clydesdale horses. Feted for its rich, malty character, Chevallier was the dominant barley in British whisky production throughout the 19th century, before falling out of favour due to changes in tax rules.
Located near Arbroath, the distillery’s equipment includes a traditional manual mash tun, three 1000L copper alembic stills, and four 2000L fermenters, the better to create a medium-to-heavy spirit suitable for extended ageing. Casks – primarily first-fill bourbon, supported by sherry, wine and specialist varieties – will be actively managed to ensure a balanced flavour profile, with Year 1 production anticipated to reach 30,000 Litres of Pure Alcohol (LPA).
“At Drummygar our watchwords are patience, quality and tradition; the last thing we want to do is rush things and compromise the quality of the spirit,” says cofounder John Torrance.
“Using Chevallier barley and Clydesdales (horses) isn’t a gimmick, we’re keen to honour the rich tradition of whisky production while cultivating a recognisable style that shines through in every vintage.”
“As John says, it’s about quality over haste,” adds Zak Shenfield, who at 22 was named Scotland’s Young Distiller of the Year in 2016. “We’re confident that with small stills and quality local barley, we can produce a spirit that speaks for itself. Given the destination is a distant point on the horizon, we’re focusing on enjoying the process and capturing the rhythm of the farm’s harvests over the years.”
In addition to Torrance and Sheinfield, Drummygar draws on the expertise of his Living Souls cofounders Calum Leslie and Jamie Williamson, both of whom are experienced figures in the Scotch whisky world.
While Calum was previously Head of Innovation at Loch Lomond Group, Jamie enjoyed stints at Old Curiosity Distillery and Douglas Laing before starting his own spirits distributor, Kilninian Drinks Co.
Launched late last year, Living Souls has already released three batches of acclaimed whiskies, including a trio of 40-Year-Old blends.
Although the first Drummygar whiskies won’t hit shelves for several years, the distillery’s connection to Living Souls confers instant credibility, and expectations for the maiden vintage are likely to be high.
A promotional video to mark the launch of Drummygar Distillery can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/uc-lO88KhXw.
For reference: ‘An Inside the Cask chat with…..Living Souls independent bottler’
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