Gartbreck Distillery, the Story Continues 

Ernie- Ernst J. Scheiner, The Gateway to Distilleries at www.whisky-distilleries.net 

Martine and Jean Donnay Gartbreck who are running the Glann ar Mor Distillery in Britanny will built another distillery at Saltpan Point on the site of an former derelict farm located on the shore of Loch Indaal south east of Bowmore, on the isle of Islay on the Western coast of Scotland. They aquired the site in May 2012. Gartbreck will be the ninth distillery on Islay since the Rockside Farm distillery Kilchoman was established in 2005 by Anthony Wills. 

“Gartbreck Distillery will be unique in reviving the traditional method of whisky making which had been abandoned for the benefit of cost efficiency. Its two pots stills which will be overlooking the sea through a large glass gable will be direct heated with a live flame, it will use worm tub condensers and fermentation of the wash will take place in Oregon Pine wooden washbacks,” says the European Distiller oft he year 2014. 

Jean Donnay’s belief is largely a result of his experience of having designed Glann ar Mor Distillery which the couple have operated since 2005. Their whiskies have earned wide recognition. 

Jean will retrace traditional methods: „Gartbreck’s bespoke equipment will include some technical evolution allowing in particular to significantly minimize the drawbacks usually associated with the direct heating of the stills. The distillery’s water will flow by gravity from Grunnd Loch which overlooks the distillery 900m away from it, and the floor malting and the kiln will allow to produce 20% of its needs in peated malt in using local barley from the isle.“ 

The hardworking couple will also distil some gin in limited batches which will be sold only at Gartbreck’s future visitor centre in order to stimulate cash-flow during the initial period when whisky will not be available. 

Martine Donnay: “The highest attention has been paid by the local architects and designers to respect the exceptional location, the distillery’s building keeping a sleek silhouette for a smooth integration in the landscape.” 

Once Gartbreck will be operating at nominal capacity the ninth Islay distillery will be producing 55.000 LPA per year. 

Ernie: What sort of heating system will you install, gas, oil or wood/peat?

Jean: Stills will be both direct heated with a live flame from gas burners. 

Ernie: What kind of mash tun will you have?

Jean: Semi-lauter tun. 

Ernie: What kind of washbacks will you install?

Jean: Well, wooden washbacks made from Oregon pine. 

Ernie: The pot stills shape and size have they been defined?

Jean: Wash still will be charged at 2500 l and spirit still will be charged in proportion for running both stills “in balance”, i.e.. charged at about 1700/1800 l depending on the actual cut. Shape of the two still have been defined, more about this at a later stage. 

Ernie: What kind of spirit will be produced?

Jean: One type of Single Malt will be produced, offering a highly peaty character for which Islay whiskies are so famous.

Planning Permission has been granted by the Argyll and Bute Council recently and the couple hopes that fundings of the 2.5M£ investment will be completed in time to start work during the third quarter of 2014. It is their aim to start operation by autumn this year. 

NOTES

Glan Ar Mor Distillery www.glannarmor.com

Gartbrecks‘ people: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ileach/3995999675/

The Gateway to Distilleries www.whisky-distilleries.net 

Contact : Martine or Jean Donnay @ info@gartbreck.com

Gartbreck Distillery Moss Road Bowmore PA43 7JG Isle of Islay SCOTLAND 

Photos Courtesy of Gartbreck Distillery 2014 and Alex Reid 2013. 

About the Author: Ernie – Ernst J. Scheiner M.A. offers courses on whisky distilling, writes for newspapers, magazines and blogs such as www.whiskyexperts.at. He is the editor of The Gateway to Distilleries at www.whisky-distilleries.net which gives an excellent photographic and educational insight into the whisky industry of Scotland, Ireland, Europe and Asia.

Please see also: http://www.whisky-distilleries.net