Arbikie distillery information
In 2010, three brothers from the Stirling family conceptualized the idea for the Arbikie Distillery while meeting in a bar in New York. Their family has been farming on the Scottish east coast for generations, so ingredients and a location were readily available. The particular area where the farm is located, in Angus in the Highlands, is known as a notably sunny part of Scotland.
The site was used in the past for distilling whisky, as records have been found dating as far back as 1794. Today, the distillery is located in a building that used to serve as a cattle shed. Work on transforming the building started in 2013, and the process took some 18 months to complete. Arbikie Distilling Limited, the company behind the distillery, was incorporated in November 2013, with spirit production beginning the following year.
The brothers set out to create the best possible single malt they could, holding it back until it was ready rather than releasing early. That patience paid off in 2026, when Arbikie released its debut single malt range.
While the single malt matured, Vodka and Gin were distilled at the distillery using the same stills, finished in a pot still. The brothers also revived an old Highland tradition, distilling a rye whisky using a recipe drawn from those 1794 records.
Since 2020, Arbikie has continued to develop the estate beyond its original spirits. That year the distillery launched Nàdar Vodka, made from peas and marketed by Arbikie as a climate-positive spirit. In 2022, a visitor centre opened on site, offering guided tours, tastings and a cafe-bar. That same year, Arbikie announced a green hydrogen project developed with energy partners Locogen and Logan Energy, pairing a wind turbine with an electrolyser to power distillation with a hydrogen-fuelled boiler; installation is still underway.
All ingredients used in the distillation process are sourced locally, and Arbikie is not afraid to think outside the box (as shown with the Rye whisky). Another example of them experimenting can be seen from using legumes (legumes and peas), as well as experimenting with different varieties of barley.
Arbikie Whiskies
Current core range:
- The Original Rye, Arbikie’s standard 1794 Highland Rye single grain Scotch whisky
- The Peated Rye, a peated version of the 1794 Highland Rye
- The PX, the 1794 Highland Rye finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks
- Distillers Edition 1 (Cask Strength), a limited cask-strength rye release
- The Signature, Arbikie’s debut single malt: 10 years old, matured in ex-bourbon casks, 48% ABV, released August 2026 as 1,000 individually numbered bottles
- The Journey, a nine-expression subscription series tracking maturation from 10 to 18 years across bourbon, port, rum, Burgundy, Cognac, Calvados, Sauternes and Mizunara cask finishes, limited to 500 sets, released 2026
- The Wild One, a wild and spontaneously fermented single malt with no age statement, limited to 100 bottles, released 2026
Earlier / limited rye releases:
- Arbikie 1794 Highland Rye Single Grain Scotch Whisky, 2020 Release
- Arbikie 1794 Highland Rye Single Grain Scotch Whisky, 2021 Release, with further annual batches through at least 2022
- Artist Edition 1, a limited cask-selection rye release
As mentioned before, the first Single Malt will most likely not be available for quite some time. In the meantime, though, you certainly can try their Rye Whisky.
Distillery info:
Detail |
Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Arbikie |
| Region | Highland |
| Country | Scotland |
| Logo |  |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Water source | Borehole |
| Malting floor | No |
| Owned by | Arbikie Highland Estate |
| Address |
Arbikie Highland Estate |
| Visitor centre | Yes |
| Website | https://www.arbikie.com/ |
| https://www.twitter.com/arbikie | |
| https://www.facebook.com/highlandrye | |
| https://www.instagram.com/thearbikie | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/arbikie-highland-estate | |
| YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@arbikiedistillery-official5314 |
| Community | Arbikie Members |
| Map |
Distillery Setup:
Component |
Capacity |
Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Mash tun | 0.75 tonnes | 1 (semi-lauter) |
| Washback | 2 * 4,400, 2 * 9,000 litres | 4 |
| Wash still | 4,000 litres | 1 |
| Spirit Still | 2,400 litres | 1 |
| Expected yearly output in LPA (Litres of pure alcohol) | 2 * 200,000 |
(image source: Official Arbikie Distillery on Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
In 2010, three brothers from the Stirling family conceived the idea for Arbikie Distillery while meeting in a bar in New York. Their family had been farming on the Scottish east coast for generations, giving them ready access to both ingredients and a location, on a farm in Angus in the Highlands, said to be the sunniest part of Scotland.
Yes. The site was used for distilling whisky in the past, with records found dating as far back as 1794. Today’s distillery is housed in a building that used to serve as a cattle shed, converted over roughly 18 months of work starting in 2013.
The brothers vowed to create the best possible single malt they could, and decided not to release any single malt younger than 14 years old, with the aim of releasing their first single malt at 18 years old.
To bridge the gap while the single malt matures, vodka and gin are distilled at the distillery using the same stills, finished in a pot still. The brothers also revived an old tradition by distilling the first Highland rye whisky.
All ingredients used in the distillation process are sourced locally, and Arbikie experiments beyond traditional recipes, including using legumes and peas alongside different varieties of barley, in addition to its rye whisky.
While the single malt continues to mature, Arbikie’s Highland Rye Single Grain Scotch Whisky is available, with a Release 1 and a Release 2 to date.
Yes, Arbikie does have a visitor centre.