AN INTRODUCTION TO NC'NEAN DISTILLERY
Nc'nean Distillery is the heartchild of Annabel Thomas, whose passion for creating sustainable spirits sparked a new wave of thinking in the whisky world.
Annabel swapped a career in consultancy for the wilds of the west coast of Scotland, driven by a vision to craft delicious spirits in harmony with nature. From the very beginning, her ethos was clear: innovate with purpose, tread lightly on the planet, and celebrate the people who make it all possible. Her hands-on approach and infectious enthusiasm have fostered a close-knit team that shares her commitment to crafting whisky the world can be proud of.
Nestled on the rugged Morvern peninsula, Nc'nean is surrounded by untamed beauty, with views stretching over the Sound of Mull.
The name itself, derived from Neachneohain – the Gaelic goddess of spirits and protector of nature – pays homage to the distillery’s Scottish roots and its deep respect for the environment. Every sip of Nc'nean’s whisky captures the wild character of its homeland, from the pure spring water that flows nearby to the rich barley fields of Scotland. It's a place where tradition meets nature, crafting a spirit that feels like a true reflection of its stunning surroundings.
At Nc'nean, every detail of production is designed with care and curiosity.
All their barley is 100% organic Scottish barley, whose low yields result in concentrated flavour and whose farming practices encourage biodiversity and soil health. Fermentations are long (up to 114 hours!), allowing the natural fruity flavours to develop beautifully. They use two types of yeast - one to create those big fruity flavours and the other a more traditional distilling yeast. When it comes to distillation - and this is what blew our mind - they have different spirit recipes that they run at different times of the year, one for whisky set to be released at a younger age and one set to be released after ten-plus years.
Nc'nean isn’t just crafting whisky – they’re pioneering a better way to do it.
As a proud certified B-Corp, they are part of a global movement for ethical business, setting the gold standard in environmental and social responsibility. From being the first UK whisky distillery to achieve net zero carbon emissions to their 100% recycled glass bottles, Nc'nean is proof that great whisky doesn’t have to cost the earth. With every bottle, they’re inspiring a new generation of drinkers to care about what’s in their glass – and the impact it has on the planet.
Other Nc'nean expressions we enjoy
Nc'nean’s flagship whisky, this organic single malt is matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and STR casks, with the exact balance varying from batch to batch (check their website to see the breakdown of yours). Light and fruity, it’s brimming with notes of citrus, peach, apricot, and a gentle hint of spice.
Inspired by their namesake Neachneohain, the Queen of Spirits, the limited-edition Huntress series honours the distillery’s innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of flavour. Orchard Cobbler is crafted from spirit produced just once a year when the team switch from the short to the long maturation recipe. It’s a moreish and warming whisky, bursting with notes of cherry bakewell, apricot marmalade and creamy vanilla custard.
