Scottish Distillery Unveils Six Whiskies in One Fell Swoop

Monday, 11 August 2025 at 13:01Ardgowan Distillery

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Ardgowan Distillery has only just filled its first barrel, yet they're already launching six whiskies. Meet the new Clydebuilt single malt whiskies, one of which celebrates a special moment.

In this article:

What has Ardgowan Distillery launched?
Six new Clydebuilt 12-year-old single malt whiskies, including three single cask bottlings.

Where have the whiskies originated?
Each of the six whiskies originates from Scotland’s Speyside region. The maturation took place at Ardgowan.

What's the most special whisky in the series?
The series includes one whisky that celebrates a notable moment for Ardgowan. This is the 12 Year Old Opening Day Release commemorating the distillery opening.

What are the six new Ardgowan Clydebuilt releases?

Below we list the new whiskies that Ardgowan has released, detailing the types of casks used and the alcohol content at which the bottles were filled:

Clydebuilt 12 year old Sherry Cask Matured
Used casks: a combination of Sherry butts, Oloroso, and Pedro Ximénez hogsheads.
Alcohol content: 46 percent alcohol by volume (ABV)
Clydebuilt 12 year old 100 Proof Sherry Cask Matured:
Used casks: Sherry butts, Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez hogsheads.
Alcohol content: 57.1 percent ABV
Clydebuilt 12 year old Official Opening Day Release:
Used casks: three different sherry casks
Alcohol content: 59.5 percent ABV (cask strength)
2012 Pedro Ximénez (PX) Hogshead Single Cask (limited to 352 bottles):
Used casks: a Pedro Ximénez hogshead
Alcohol content : 58.5 percent ABV (cask strength)
2012 Oloroso Hogshead Single Cask (limited to 342 bottles):
Used casks: an Oloroso hogshead
Alcohol content: 59 percent ABV (Cask strength)
2012 Manzanilla Hogshead Single Cask (limited to 335 bottles): Used casks: a rare Manzanilla cask from Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain Alcohol content: 61.1 percent ABV

Fun fact: Clydebuilt 12 year old 100 Proof Sherry Cask Matured is bottled at the alcohol ratio that the British traditionally used as proof. At this alcohol ratio, gunpowder mixed with spirit would ignite.

Whisky Maker Laura Davies with the new Clydebuilt Single Malts

Where do the six whiskies from Ardgowan Distillery originate?

The whiskies that Ardgowan has bottled are so-called sourced whiskies. The spirit for the whisky comes from the Speyside region. The maturation took place at Ardgowan in Inverkip under the leadership of Laura Davies, distillery manager at the Scottish whisky maker.

She has ensured that each whisky contributes to the already strong reputation of Ardgowan at the time of bottling.

'Every whisky bottled under the name must be worthy of honouring the unmatched attention to detail and pride in quality of those that came before.'

- Lara Davies

What are the tasting notes of the Ardgowan whiskies?

Each of the six releases has received detailed tasting notes, although nowhere is the finish of the whisky mentioned. Below is an outline of what you can expect from each bottle, as described by the distillery:

Clydebuilt 12 year old Sherry Cask Matured

Nose: Raisins, figs, and polished oak.
Palate: Dark fruit and spices. A long, round finish with persistent depth.

Clydebuilt 12 year old 100 Proof Sherry Cask Matured:

Nose: Raisins, dates, roasted nuts, and spices.
Palate: Full-bodied with dried fruit, dark chocolate, and leather.

Clydebuilt 12 year old Official Opening Day Release:

Nose: Luxurious dried fruit, roasted nuts, and rich Sherry sweetness.
Palate: Powerful and warming, with fig, raisin, spices, and a velvety mouthfeel.

Clydebuilt 2012 Pedro Ximénez Hogshead Single Cask (AS059):

Nose: Ripe figs, sticky dates, and rich caramel.
Palate: Velvety toffee, dark chocolate, and a hint of espresso.

Clydebuilt 2012 Oloroso Hogshead Single Cask (AS076)

Nose: Dark fruit and warming spices.
Palate: Rich dried figs, dark chocolate, soft oak, with nutmeg and roasted wood.

Clydebuilt 2012 Manzanilla Hogshead Single Cask (AS041)

Nose: Crisp green apple, floral notes, and toasted almonds.
Palate: Spicy citrus with a soft nutty flavor. Fresh and delicate.

Where can you buy the Ardgowan whiskies?

The new releases are sold at a recommended retail price between £47 and £85 (converted between €55 and €97).

Find the Ardgowan whiskies at whisky specialty stores such as The Royal Mile in the United Kingdom. Besides, Clydebuilt can be found in Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and Austria. No specifics about Dutch retailers are mentioned.