Tamnavulin whisky distillery is found on the banks of the River Livet on the southern edge of Speyside – the world’s most famous whisky-making region. The name ‘Tamnavulin’ translates to ‘mill on the hill’ and is a reference to the ancient three-storey wool carding mi which sits on the distillery site and can be traced all the way back to 1560.
The Tamnavulin whisky distillery draws its water from underground springs in the surrounding hillside and takes its cooling waters from the River Livet, whose headwaters rise in the Grampians in Moray before flowing eleven miles until their confluence with the River Avon.
Tamnavulin was founded in 1966 by a subsidiary of Invergordon Distillers Ltd, the whisky distillery has changed little during its relatively short life. Tamnavulin is rather typical of 1960s-constructed distilleries and the exterior is decidedly industrial, in stark contrast to its markedly stunning locality.
The Tamnavulin distillery has been under the ownership of United Spirits since its acquisition of Whyte and Mackay in 2007. The Tamnavulin whisky distillery had previously been silent for over a decade, having been mothballed in May of 1995. Under the new ownership, there has been the addition of new staff as well as increased working hours; Tamnavulin now operates seven days a week, which should bring production to near full capacity.
Nine washbacks and six stills give Tamnavulin a total capacity of 4.3m litres annually, though this has yet to be reached. The brand matures its whisky in two different casks, balancing two different flavour profiles in one sweet, smooth and fruity single malt. Tamnavulin was re-launched in the UK as a single malt to mark the 50th anniversary of the distillery in 2016 and today the range is perhaps known best for its popular wine-cask finished whiskies.