The Distillery
So far!
We are a private family run Distillery situated on a farm north of Dunfermline, in the lowland county of Fife. Since 2021 we have been making thorough preparations to produce our very own whisky in the distillery, nestled quietly on it's own.
Distilling ceased in West Fife around 1811, so we are thrilled and motivated to be bringing it back after over 200 years. Our focus is on producing the highest quality spirits and providing a very personal experience.
Water
At Knockhill Distillery we have our own private source of water through a bore hole. Water plays a vital role in whisky making, influencing every stage from mashing and fermentation to dilution before bottling. Its mineral content affects how sugars are extracted from grain, how yeast ferments, and how flavours develop. Impurities like iron or chlorine can lead to undesired flavours, making purity essential.
Barley
We’re committed to sourcing 100% of our barley from the Fife region. By using local farms, we not only support the region’s agricultural heritage but also ensure full traceability and quality in our raw materials. This local approach strengthens our connection to the land and allows us to produce spirits that truly reflects our philosophy - from field to bottle.
Entire Control
Every single drop of Whisky produced at Knockhill Distillery will be kept within our premises until bottled. From distillation all the way through to bottling, all stages are carried out on site.
Quality Control
We only believe in producing the best spirits, in light of this we will always prioritise our spirit quality over production quantity.
We will simply not put our name to anything sub-par.
Family Lead
Here at Knockhill Distillery we are fortunate to be distanced from any external or third party influence.
That means there's no investors or exit strategies, just 100% focus on creating the absolute best spirits.
CRAFTED BY A MASTER
At the heart of our distillery is John C. McDougall, a world-class distiller and blender with a passion for precision, patience and character.
John McDougall is one of a very rare and elite group of people who have been Production Director or Manager of a distillery in all of the traditionally recognised distilling regions in Scotland and is arguably the most experienced Whisky Expert and best overall Judge of Scotch Whisky in the business today. This is recognised by his influence and presence in many countries world wide.
Campbeltown - Springbank Distillery
Islay - Laphroaig
Highland - Balvenie
Speyside - Tormore
Lowland - Ladyburn
Now, on our family farm in West Fife, he's building something new adding to the dozens of distilleries he's shaped whilst passing his knowledge on to the next generation on creating exceptional spirits.
John McDougall - Laphroaig, 1970
Our commitment to our business doesn't end with spirit quality. Another key area of our focus is transparency. With that in mind, we're delighted to have signed a multi-year contract with one of the leading industry software developers. This covers all our aspects of processes here at Knockhill Distillery.
This commitment to transparency brings additional benefits, such as private portals and direct contact with distillery personnel.
Online Portals
Enjoy access to your online portal where you can easily view your products and speak to the distillers directly
Historical Data
Another benefit to online portal is the access to historical data on your whisky. At the touch of a button you can track the history
Location
The location of your whisky within our warehouse is also visible on your portal
Frequently asked questions
Where can I purchase Knockhill Whisky?
We're delighted to say that our pre-order for our whisky will be available soon, join our Newsletter to be the first to hear about it
Due to the nature of how we operate the Distillery our approach to our spirits, supply is limited. We endeavour for as many people as possible to try our spirits, so we may have samples available at certain Whisky Festivals/Exhibitions which we are attending.
Can I visit the Distillery?
Knockhill Distillery is currently closed to the public
However we do plan to accommodate the general public and open our Distillery Experience in late 2026/2027
Where is Knockhill Distillery?
We are just north of Dunfermline, Fife, in the lowlands of Scotland. The Distillery is approximately 20 minutes from Edinburgh and 30 minutes from Glasgow.
