Kythe Distillery - a revival of traditional highland distilling
Kythe is a new distillery currently under development at the Hills of Bendochy farm in Perthshire. The Kythe Distillery aims to produce authentic, traditional highland single malt Scotch whisky under the expert supervision of its directors: distillery manager Jonny McMillan, chairman Aaron Chan, and whisky maker Angus MacRaild.
Deriving its name from a Scots word that means to show, prove, or demonstrate, Kythe will operate as a fully functioning distillery dedicated to crafting a stunning, old-style highland whisky. The distillery's primary goal is to emphasize uncompromising quality, using some of history's most renowned whiskies as a standard for gauging their success.
From the left: Jonny McMillan, Aaron Chan, and Angus MacRaild (Image: Kythe Distillery)
This venture is the brainchild of passionate whisky aficionados who have entirely funded the project, seeking to revive the tastes, flavors, and qualities of long-lost, genuine highland malt whiskies. Among the esteemed supporters is Ronnie Cox, a 45-year veteran of the whisky industry, who will take on the role of brand director emeritus.
Aaron Chan, leading a consortium of whisky drinkers in Hong Kong who have backed the distillery, said:
“Over the past 10 years, Hong Kong’s whisky fans have been catching up very fast when it comes to Scotch whisky culture. We have started specialised whisky bars, whisky retailers, importers, exporters and independent bottlers. The final piece of the puzzle is for us to help create a whisky distillery in Scotland – Kythe is that distillery.”
Kythe is projected to yield approximately 50,000 liters of pure alcohol annually, which is equivalent to around 250 casks. The distilling team will collaborate closely with local farmers to procure heritage and brewing barley varieties that are rich in protein. The distillery's 1-tonne mash tun will supply clear wort to seven wooden fermenters, designed to consistently achieve fermentation times of over two weeks. Following this, distillation will occur in a wood-fired wash still, accompanied by an electrically heated spirit still, both utilizing worm tubs for condensation. This process signifies a return to traditional direct firing with wood and old-style production techniques, all in pursuit of crafting old school Scotch whisky.
Angus MacRaild offers:
“While I have often been critical of contemporary Scotch whisky's quality and direction, I don't believe in simply being critical. I have always wanted to make whisky, to put my ideas into practice, put my money where my mouth is, and to create a charismatic and very specifically 'old style' single malt. In my view, efficiency is the enemy of character when it comes to Scottish single malts, and with Kythe we can start to test this and be part of a growing movement that is changing the direction of Scottish single malt whisky for the better.”
The production process at Kythe, which uses sustainably sourced, air-seasoned logs for direct firing, results in significantly lower carbon emissions compared to similar-sized distilleries – a 94% reduction compared to kerosene-boiler distilleries. This environmentally conscious effort aims for continuous improvement and supports regenerative farming standards with partners. The team is also dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the local environment and landscape.
Jonny McMillan comments:
"We're focused on making a spirit which is noble in every respect, not just a grand cru malt whisky. With locally sourced, ethically grown barley and environmentally sustainable production, Kythe has a shot at making something profound, authentic and truly beautiful."
Kythe Distillery is fully funded, with production scheduled to commence in late 2024. The stills are expected to be in place early 2024. The company will launch limited cask purchasing opportunities for private individuals and selected independent bottlers. Full details, and the chance to sign up to the company’s newsletter to hear about the cask purchasing program, are available via its website.
Kythe can also be followed via its social media pages:
Facebook: @kythedistillery
Instagram: @kythedistillery
Image: Kythe Distillery
Sláinte!
-Thomas
