Nc'nean Single Malt Whisky

Made by nature not by rules

Nc’nean is a small, independent, organic whisky distillery that exists to create experimental spirits and pioneer sustainable production. Founded by Annabel Thomas in 2013, they are based on the Morvern Peninsula on the wild west coast of Scotland, and they produce a light and fruity style of single malt that exists in harmony with this planet we call home. Their flagship expression we have on board has flavours of citrus, peach, apricot and spice.

Nc’nean’s small team of eco-conscious drinks fanatics are on a mission to change the way the world thinks about whisky from Scotland. The distillery is B-Corp certified, uses only organic Scottish barley, and power their distillery entirely by renewable energy. Both the full size whisky bottle and the miniature bottle we have on board are made from 100% recycled glass, saving 40% of the carbon compared with using virgin glass. As of 2021, Nc’nean became the first whisky distillery in the UK to be verified as having net zero carbon emissions for scopes 1 and 2.

Nc’nean’s range of whisky also includes two seasonal limited releases: Huntress and Quiet Rebels. Huntress, the innovative series, is released annually in springtime and is the product of work on the spirit itself, such as yeast trials and barley variations. Quiet Rebels is released in Autumn; this bottling is selected by and named after one of their team each year.

Nc’nean is an award winning** independent, organic whisky distillery on the west coast of Scotland. Nc’nean began distilling in March 2017 and from inception has strived to do things differently.

In pursuit of new flavours in whisky, Nc’nean pushes the boundaries of innovation, using longer mashing times, slow fermentation (ranging from 65-116 hours), and experiments with unusual yeasts not commonly used within whisky distilling. Nc’nean matures its whisky on site in ex-bourbon, sherry and STR ex-red wine casks, along with many other smaller and more unique cask experiments, including Rum, Tequila, Calvados and Maury. The high, narrow cut on the still helps to produce a purer spirit, creating a lighter spirit that retains its fruity notes.

The Nc’nean ethos of sustainable production is embedded in everything it does. In July 2021 Nc’nean achieved verified net zero status for carbon emissions from its own operations (scopes 1 and 2). It is the UK’s first whisky distillery to be classified as net zero for scopes 1 & 2 and reached its goal 20 years ahead of the industry target. In addition, Nc’nean only uses 100% organic Scottish barley, the only whisky distillery to do so in Scotland, making all its products certified organic. Its whisky bottles are made from 100% recycled glass and it recycles or reuses 99.9% of its waste.

In February 2022 Nc’nean achieved B Corp accreditation, with an extremely high score of 135.6. Major points were received in the environmental impact area, reflecting the brand’s stellar efforts to exist in harmony with the planet. In July 2022, Nc’nean was named a 2022 Best for World B Corp in recognition for the exceptional positive impact in its environmental stewardship. Nc’nean’s B Corp score is the highest of any distillery globally (as of August 2024).

Nc’nean released its first whisky in August 2020 and the charity auction of the first 10 bottles broke the world record for the price paid for a first release from a new distillery (£41,000 for Bottle #1). Since then, the distillery has continued to delight consumers with its flagship expression alongside cask strength bottling, their organic Botanical Spirit, and two seasonal limited releases: Huntress and Quiet Rebels. They also release multiple single cask bottlings each year under the Aon series (meaning ‘one’ in Gaelic), often showcasing unique cask experiments in partnership with various distributors and retailers across the globe.

Nc’nean has been named one of the top 10 Scottish distilleries to visit by the Guardian, and consumers in the UK and the US can shop via their website ncnean.com. Nc’nean are also stocked in many independent retailers in the UK and are expanding rapidly across the globe as demand for sustainable whisky increases. They are now distributed widely across Europe, North America, Japan and Dubai.

Awards

**Great Taste Gold Star 2024, The Drinks Business and Spirits Business Spring Blind Tasting Master 2024, ranked 21st in Drinks International’s Top 50 Most Admired Whisky brands in the world, Double Gold Award SFWSC 2023, Gold USA spirits ratings 2023, The Spirits Business Design and Packaging Masters 2023 Best in Class and Master 2023, Icons of Whisky Scotland Craft Producer 2023, The Spirits Business Distillery Sustainability Award 2022, Double Gold Award SFWSC 2023, Gold Award IWSC 2022, Great Taste Award Gold Star 2021, The Drinks Business and Spirits Business Spring Blind Tasting GOLD 2021, Icons.

Nc'nean Single Malt Whisky | Caledonian Sleeper |