Port Charlotte distillery
{{Short description|Scotch whisky distillery on Islay, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox distillery
| Name = Port Charlotte
| Type = Islay
| Image =
| Image size =
| coordinates = {{Coord|55|44|23|N|6|22|42|W|region:GB-AGB_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=title,inline}}
| Caption =
| Location = Islay
| Owner = The Bruichladdich Distillery Co. Ltd
| Founded = 1829
| Status = Converted into a whisky warehouse facility
| Source =
| Mothballed = 1929-2009
| Stills =
| Capacity =
| Brand 1 =
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| Misc heading= Location map
| Misc = File:Distilleries_Islay_updated_2011.png
|image=Port_Charlotte_distillery_(disused)_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2143359.jpg}}
Port Charlotte distillery (also known as Rhins distillery and Lochindaal distillery) is an inactive Islay single malt Scotch whisky distillery on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland.
The distillery is based in the village of Port Charlotte {{convert|3|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} southwest from the Bruichladdich distillery.{{cite web| url =http://www.bruichladdich.com/latestnewsarticles/portcharlottedistillery.htm| title =Port Charlotte Distillery| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100531175853/http://www.bruichladdich.com/latestnewsarticles/portcharlottedistillery.htm| archive-date =2010-05-31| access-date =2010-08-01| url-status =dead}}
| url = http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_port_charlotte_distillery.html
| title = Islayinfo.com
| access-date = 2010-08-01
| archive-date = 28 May 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170528083514/http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_port_charlotte_distillery.html
| url-status = dead
}}
History
File:Lochindaal Distillery (between 1855 and 1895).jpg
Port Charlotte Distillery was a purpose-built distillery, founded in 1829 when it was operated by Colin Campbell. In 1831 McLennan & Grant took over for 1 year. George McLennan continued until 1835 when he was declared bankrupt. It was then operated by Walter Graham around 1837. Later the distillery was owned by Hector Henderson and James Lamont of Henderson, Lamont and Company until 1852 when they went bankrupt.{{cite news |author= |title=Scotch Bankrupts | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002683/18520616/009/0002 |newspaper=North British Daily Mail |location=Scotland |date=16 June 1852 |access-date=17 October 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }} The lease was sold on with 29 years left for £750.{{cite news |author= |title=Glasgow Sales Effected in November | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000060/18521210/029/0007 |newspaper=Glasgow Herald |location=Scotland |date=10 December 1852 |access-date=17 October 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }} It then operated as the Rhins Distillery & company with John McLennan in charge until 1855.
On 18 May 1861 a fire broke out in the kiln at the distillery which resulted in the destruction of the kiln and about 20 bushels of malt. The villagers managed to extinguish the fire before the rest of the distillery was damaged.{{cite news |author= |title=Fire in Islay | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000060/18610524/007/0004 |newspaper=Glasgow Herald |location=Scotland |date=24 May 1861 |access-date=17 October 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}
In 1864 the Inland Revenue officer, Francis Gill, who was stationed at the distillery was found drowned on 5 September in Laggan Bay.{{cite news |author= |title=Islay | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003482/18640917/025/0003 |newspaper=Glasgow Weekly Mail |location=Scotland |date=17 September 1864 |access-date=17 October 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }}
From 1855 the distillery was operated by John Bell Sheriff of Glasgow{{cite news |author= |title=The Distilleries of Islay | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001283/18740829/062/0006 |newspaper=Coleraine Chronicle |location=Northern Ireland |date=29 August 1874 |access-date=17 October 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription }} and from 1895 J.B. Sherrif & Co Ltd until 1921. In 1921 it was acquired by Benmore Distilleries Limited which was taken over in 1929 by the Distillery Company Ltd. This resulted in the closure of the distillery.{{cite web
| url = http://www.bruichladdich.com/latestnewsarticles/firstcut.htm
| title = The First Cut is the Steepest
| publisher = Bruichladdich
| access-date = 2010-08-01
}}
= Revival =
In 2007, Diageo sold the inactive Port Charlotte distillery buildings and contents to The Bruichladdich Distillery Co. Ltd.{{Cite web |last=Micallef |first=Joseph V. |title=The Relaunch of Port Charlotte 10 YO |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2018/08/02/the-relaunch-of-port-charlotte-10-yo/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Forbes |language=en}} and the Port Charlotte brand has been revived, although the distillery as such remained closed. Whisky distilled at nearby Bruichladdich distillery is matured in oak casks at Port Charlotte warehouses.{{Cite web |last=Micallef |first=Joseph V. |title=The Relaunch of Port Charlotte 10 YO |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemicallef/2018/08/02/the-relaunch-of-port-charlotte-10-yo/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
Whiskies currently matured there include:
- Port Charlotte Scottish Barley, ABV 50%.[http://www.bruichladdich.com/the-whisky/port-charlotte/port-charlotte-scottish-barley Port Charlotte Scottish Barley]
- PC 11 Heavily peated, ABV 59.8%.[http://www.bruichladdich.com/the-whisky/port-charlotte/port-charlotte-pc11 Port Charlotte PC 11]
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Scottish Distilleries}}
{{Islay}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Port Charlotte (Distillery)}}
Category:Distilleries in Scotland
Category:Whisky distilleries in Islay
Category:1829 establishments in Scotland
Category:1929 disestablishments in Scotland
Category:2011 establishments in Scotland
Category:Food and drink companies established in 1829
Category:Food and drink companies disestablished in 1929
Category:Food and drink companies established in 2011
Category:History of Argyll and Bute
Category:British companies disestablished in 1929
Category:British companies established in 1829
Category:British companies established in 2011
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