‘The Kildalton Project’ will see Islay’s renowned Ardbeg distillery produce Ardbeg Kildalton, an exclusive limited edition whisky which will help to profile and raise funds for the project – to create a new Community Hub in Islay’s Port Ellen.
The Glenmorangie Company is delighted to announce a new and long term partnership with the North Highland Initiative [NHI]. Inspired by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, the NHI is a charity that supports fragile, rural communities across the North Highlands.
This new partnership will bring together the Ardbeg Distillery and the NHI to work with community organisations in Port Ellen, including the South Islay Development – a community organisation and charity formed in 2010 – and St. John’s Church of Scotland.
The Kildalton Project aims to develop a community-run hub situated in the heart of the village. As a centre for social activities, training and learning, this is also intended to offer a welcome and information point for the growing number of visitors to the south of the island.
St. John’s Church, Port Ellen and its congregation, who own St Columba Hall – the current centre for village activities, will also be important partners in developing the project with South Islay Development and NHI.
To help raise funds for this community-based initiative, Ardbeg Distillery is introducing a prestigious limited edition whisky, Ardbeg Kildalton, to go on sale immediately at the Ardbeg Distillery.
Ardbeg Kildalton takes its name from the nearby Kildalton Cross; at 1,200 years old an icon of Islay and Scotland, standing six miles along the coast from the Distillery. Kildalton and Oa is also the name of the ancient parish that includes the Distillery and Port Ellen.
With more than 20,000 visitors per year and a passionate following in the Ardbeg Committee, the Distillery plans to involve as many people as possible in the fundraising effort for the Kildalton Project.
Tom Campbell, CEO of The North Highland Initiative, will head the project team working closely with the South Islay Development board and St. John’s Church. In addition to the funds raised from the launch of the Ardbeg Kildalton, the Kildalton Project Team will also begin a fundraising campaign to attract other supporters.
David Whiteford, chair of The North Highland Initiative says: ‘We are delighted to have The Glenmorangie Company as a new partner and it is exciting to be involved here on Islay as it extends the original scope of the North Highland Initiative and the vision of His Royal Highness in promoting sustainable communities.
‘The Kildalton Project will bring alive this vision in a vital island community and is the kind of project where we can add support and expertise to already hard working rural community groups.’
Jackie Thomson, chair of South Islay Development, and Visitor Centre Manager at the Ardbeg Distillery says: ‘We thank The North Highland Initiative and Ardbeg Distillery for helping us initiate The Kildalton Project; Islay is really ‘on the move’ and South Islay in particular is becoming a dynamic place to visit as a result of the projects we already have underway.
‘A new Community Hub will be an important piece of the jigsaw in sustaining Port Ellen as a vibrant community.’
For The Glenmorangie Company, Hamish Torrie, director of corporate social responsibility says: ‘The Kildalton Project is a great illustration of our long term commitment to playing our part in the community of South Islay.
‘We are delighted to have the support and encouragement of His Royal Highness and welcome the NHI team to Islay.’
And if you want to get hold of an Ardbeg Kildalton you will have the additional pleasure of going to Islay to get it – direct from the Ardbeg Distillery.
This is an imaginative and an imagination-grabbing initiative, playing to two of Islay’s great strengths – whisky and community – and pulling the involvement of The North Highland Initiative south to Argyll is an interesting development.
About Ardbeg Kildalton
Ardbeg Kildalton is a limited edition whisky that is non chill-filtered for extra texture and mouth feel, and with a strength of 46% ABV. It has been created by Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, from a range of different ages and styles of Ardbeg matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
Dr Lumsden describes Ardbeg Kildalton as: ‘… a rather curious whisky, created from an interesting cask selection. Sublime whiskies from two carefully selected years have been chosen for their juxtaposed, but complimentary styles. A blessed marriage of firm, smoky, but creamy Ardbeg from Bourbon barrels with rather racy, spicy whiskies from new and refill Sherry casks has given a harmonious union of bold, colourful flavours.’
It went on sale at the Ardbeg Distillery on Islay on 11th June, with an RSP of £120.00 per bottle [plus post and packing].
Note: The photographs above show, from the top:
- Distillery Manager, Mickey Heads, samples the new Ardbeg Kildalton.
- The Kildalton Project Team [from left to right]: David Whiteford, Chairman, North Highland Initiative (NHI); Hamish Torrie, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, The Glenmorangie Company; Tom Campbell, CEO, North Highland Initiative and Kildalton Project Director; Kirsten Laurie, Local Development Officer, Highland & Islands Enterprise (HIE); Mickey Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager; Dorothy Dennis, Session Clerk, St Johns Church of Scotland, Port Ellen; Iain Hepburn, Kildalton Project team member; Jackie Thomson, Chair, South Islay Development and Eleanor McNab, Board Member, South Islay Development.
- The Kildalton Project Team toast to future success [from left to right]: Eleanor McNab, Board Member, South Islay Development; Tom Campbell, CEO, North Highland Initiative and Kildalton Project Director; Dorothy Dennis, Session Clerk, St Johns Church of Scotland, Port Ellen; Iain Hepburn, Kildalton Project team member; David Whiteford, Chairman, North Highland Initiative (NHI); Jackie Thomson, Chair, South Islay Development; Kirsten Laurie, Local Development Officer, Highland & Islands Enterprise (HIE); Hamish Torrie, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, The Glenmorangie Company and Mickey Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager.
- Hamish Torrie of Glenmorangie with David Whiteford and Tom Campbell of NHI.
