Lancaster Spirits Company, a Scottish craft distillery located on the edge of the ancient Forest of Bowland, has embarked on a defining partnership with Max McFarlane, one of Scotland’s most respected whisky makers. McFarlane’s career of more than four decades in the Scotch whisky industry saw him work as lead whisky maker for brands including Glengoyne, Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark, Bunnahabhain and Tamdhu. In 2017, he was honoured as a Keeper of the Quaich, a mark of exceptional status among whisky peers.
Following his retirement from Edrington in 2018, Max returned home to Inverkip on the River Clyde and joined the founding team at Ardgowan Distillery, bringing his expertise to their Lowland coastal project. He was tasked with shaping the distillery’s wood policy, production schedule and early blending initiatives, including the acclaimed limited edition Clydebuilt and Inverdarach whiskies.
In his new position at Lancaster Spirits Co., Max will play a central role in shaping the flavor, character, and identity of the distillery’s future whiskies. He will lead the development and execution of the distillery’s short and long-term lay-down strategy, assess and monitor the quality of maturing stocks, and craft new whisky expressions that reflect the ambitions of the brand. Max will oversee the implementation of a detailed cask management policy, ensuring that the company’s range of existing casks are utilised to their full potential and that future acquisitions meet the highest standards.
His appointment is especially fitting given Lancaster Spirits’ commitment to traditional whisky-making practices and processes. There is no automation in either the brewery or the stillroom. Barley is freshly milled each day, the mash is turned by hand, water is drawn from the company’s own well, and the brewery’s own live brewer’s yeast is used, giving a distinctive character to the spirit.