The Orkney Distillery
About the distillery
The Orkney Distillery is located in Kirkwall and is a craft distillery with a distinct Orkney character. Here, spirits are produced in small batches using traditional copper stills, and both whisky and gin are rooted in the islands’ nature, history, and seafaring heritage. For whisky lovers, the place is especially interesting because the house already stands out with blended malt whiskies that draw on both mild smoke, sweetness, and spice.
Raw materials and production
The production is described as small batches, carried out in a craft manner with traditional copper stills. The house places emphasis on care, commitment, and attention to detail, and local ingredients appear throughout the spirits as part of the distinct Orkney character. In the Kirkjuvagr recipe, among other things, Angelica, Ramanas Rose, Burnet Rose, Borage, and traditional Orkney bere barley are mentioned, showing a deliberate use of local raw materials and a recipe that connects the distillery with the islands’ cultural heritage. For Arkh-Angell, the local angelica, Archangelica, is also highlighted as part of the special profile. The specific whisky details regarding mashing, fermentation, and distillation in the whisky production are not elaborated on, but overall the style is clearly small-scale and connected to the local raw-material universe.
Whiskies
The current whisky range documented here consists of two blended malt Scotch whiskies. Fara is the sweeter, more elegant version with heather honey, vanilla, and a hint of spiced apple, while RYSA goes in a more pronounced direction with gentle peat smoke, dried fruit, crème brûlée sweetness, burnt leather, and pepper. Taken together, the range points to two different expressions within the same blended malt format: one that emphasizes soft sweetness and balance, and the other that emphasizes smoke, depth, and a longer finish. It gives a small but fairly clear portrait of the house’s whisky direction.
| Whisky | Type / series | Cask and style | Tasting profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fara | Blended Malt Scotch Whisky | Small batch blended malt Scotch whisky from some of Scotland’s finest distilleries, including Orkney. It is described as elegant and smooth.; Nose: Sweet heather honey and vanilla with a hint of spiced apple. | Current; Core range | |
| RYSA | Blended Malt Scotch Whisky | smoky/peaty | A blended malt Scotch whisky named after the uninhabited Orkney island of Rysa and described as bold, balanced, and smooth.; Nose: Gentle peat smoke, rich dried fruit, and crème brûlée sweetness.; Taste: Burnt leather and pepper.; Finish: Long, lingering finish. | Current; Core range |
Whisky style and tasting profile
The whisky style ranges from sweet honey and vanilla to mild peat smoke and darker spice. Fara brings heather honey, vanilla, and spiced apple to the forefront, while RYSA brings together gentle peat smoke, dried fruit, crème brûlée sweetness, burnt leather, and pepper in a more distinctive expression. Together, they create a profile where sweetness, fruit, and spice meet a subdued smoke.
Visit the distillery
The Orkney Distillery and visitor centre in Kirkwall are open to the public, and tours can be booked. Whisky schools are also offered in 1-, 3-, and 5-day programmes. The opening hours are listed for peak season from May to September, Monday to Sunday 10:00am–6:00pm, and for off season in April and October, Wednesday to Sunday 10:00am–5:00pm. For events, lift access to the events room is listed, as well as disabled parking from the car park on Burnmouth Road.
The listed opening hours are Peak season (May-September): Monday-Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm. Off season (April & October): Wednesday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm.
See times and book a visit.
Philosophy and craftsmanship
The house works based on small batches and a clear craft discipline. Passion, commitment, and attention to detail are directly highlighted as guiding values, and the products are throughout tied to Orkney through local botanicals, island names, and historical references. It is an approach where the place, the ingredients, and the northern heritage are allowed to define the expression.