The Future of Whisky is Here: Annandale Distillery Powers Up a World-First for Net-Zero Production
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For those who have visited us recently, you may have noticed significant activity on-site. The hum of machinery and the arrival of large, impressive-looking equipment has marked a period of exciting transformation. Today, we are thrilled to announce what this has all been leading up to.
The moment has arrived. Here at Annandale Distillery, as we move into the late summer of 2025, we are on the cusp of switching on a ground-breaking piece of technology that will fundamentally change our historic craft and set a new benchmark for the entire whisky industry.
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The Challenge: Powering an Ancient Craft Sustainably
The art of distilling Scotch whisky is a time-honoured tradition, but it is no secret that it is an incredibly energy-heavy process. From heating our stills to creating the steam essential for production, the carbon footprint of distillation has long been a challenge for the industry. In our unwavering quest for Net-Zero, we knew we had to tackle this challenge head-on, not with small steps, but with a revolutionary leap.
The Solution: The EXERGY 3 Project
This leap is the EXERGY 3 project. In a landmark collaboration with industrial boiler experts Cochran and technology innovators EXERGY 3, and with the crucial support of a £3.6 million grant from the UK Government’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, we have been working to install a full-scale prototype capable of producing zero-carbon whisky.
This world-first system is a marvel of green engineering. It is designed to efficiently convert air into high-pressure steam using renewable electricity from the grid, completely removing fossil fuels from the process. The trial system being implemented at our distillery consists of a 36MWh thermal storage unit powering a 4MW boiler, allowing us to operate seven days a week by charging the system during off-peak hours to minimise environmental impact and maximise efficiency.
A Word From Our Co-Founder, David Thomson
Sharing his excitement for the project, our Co-Founder, David Thomson, remarked:
“We are thrilled to be at the forefront of sustainable whisky production. The EXERGY 3 project represents a major milestone in our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring a greener future for the industry. The recent changes to our site and the installation of equipment from Cochran and Exergy 3 further solidified our confidence in the project’s progress and the potential it holds for transforming the way whisky is made.”
Shaping the Future of Scotch
This is more than just an upgrade for Annandale; it is a blueprint for the future. The successful trial and operation of this technology will demonstrate a viable, scalable path for other distilleries to embrace sustainable practices. We are not just making whisky; we are helping to shape the future of its production.
We invite you to follow our journey as we power up this incredible system and begin distilling the first drops of truly zero-carbon Annandale single malt Scotch whisky. The future is green, and it tastes like award-winning Scotch.
Slàinte to a greener future!
