Kingsbarns Distillery — Lowland Single Malt Whisky

Kingsbarns Distillery is a Lowland Scotch whisky distillery located near the village of Kingsbarns in the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland, close to St Andrews. It was founded in 2014 and is currently owned by the Wemyss family through the Kingsbarns Company of Distillers. Housed in a restored 18th-century farm steading, it is one of the youngest working distilleries in the Lowlands and also produces the well-known Darnley's Gin.

History

The idea for Kingsbarns Distillery came from Douglas Clement, a local golf caddie who noticed that visitors to the famous St Andrews-area golf courses had nowhere nearby to experience Scotch whisky being made. Clement founded the Kingsbarns Company of Distillers in 2009 and spent several years raising capital from private investors, eventually securing a Scottish Government grant and, in 2013, backing from William and Isabella Wemyss of the Wemyss family, owners of the independent bottler Wemyss Malts. Building work converted a derelict 18th-century farm steading, East Newhall Farm on the Cambo Estate, into a working distillery, which officially opened on 30 November 2014. The first cask of new-make spirit was filled in March 2015, and the distillery's first single malt was released in August 2018, followed by the sherry-cask Balcomie expression later that year. Alongside whisky production, the site is also home to the Darnley's Gin Cottage, launched in 2017.

Quick Facts

• Region: Lowland, Scotland
• Founded: 2014
• Owner: Wemyss family (Kingsbarns Company of Distillers / Wemyss Malts)
• Status: Active
• Stills: One wash still and one spirit still (copper pot stills by Forsyths of Rothes)

Core Range

Kingsbarns' core single malt range is unpeated and matured predominantly in ex-bourbon casks, producing a light, fruity, floral Lowland style. Key expressions include Doocot (46% ABV, matured mainly in ex-bourbon casks with a portion of STR wine casks), Balcomie (46% ABV, matured in ex-Oloroso sherry casks, showing dried fruit and spice), and Coaltown (46% ABV). A Kingsbarns 10 Year Old was released in 2025. The distillery also produces Darnley's Gin (Original, Spiced, and Navy Strength) on-site.