Glasgow-based independent whisky firm Brave New Spirits said planning permission for its Witchburn Distillery near Campbeltown has been granted by Argyll & Bute council.

The single malt whisky distillery will be built at the former RAF Machrihanish Airbase located between Campbeltown Airport and Machrihanish Village.

It will produce unpeated, lightly peated, and heavily peated malts.

The distillery will operate with a carefully planned wood policy, with the majority of its spirit to be filled into Bourbon barrels and selected Sherry casks.

Witchburn will mature its casks in on-site warehousing close to the sea and in warehouses in the Campbeltown area.

Production at Witchburn Distillery is due to commence in the last quarter of 2024.

“The new Net Zero carbon production distillery — which will produce 2 million litres of alcohol per year, with the potential and scope for expansion to 4 million in the future, will be powered by 100% green renewable energy sources and the latest in heat and energy recovery systems, making Witchburn one of the most environmentally friendly distilleries in Scotland,” said Brave New Spirits.

“When complete Witchburn will operate with 1 Mash tun – with a capacity of 5 tons; 16 Washbacks – each with a capacity of 30,000 litres, allowing for a fermentation period of 96 hours or more; 2 Wash Stills – each with a capacity of 16,000 litres and 2 Spirit Stills – each with a capacity of 7,000 litres.

“Witchburn, which is the brainchild of Brave New Spirits founders Adam Hochul and Alexander Springensguth, will have its production headed by Founding Master Distiller, Andrew Nairn, former Distillery Manager of Glenkinchie, Strathmill and Borders Distillery.

“It will use traditional distilling craftsmanship to produce unpeated, lightly peated, and heavily peated malts.”

Hochul said: “We were delighted to receive this news today.

“Our team is excited to be working with the Campbeltown community in the coming months and years to develop Witchburn Distillery.”