Nc'Nean 2018-2022 - Huntress

Nc’nean is an independent Western Highland distillery founded by Annabel Thomas on the Morvern peninsula in 2017. Nc’nean is a small distillery, with a capacity of around 100,000 litres per annum, but is distinguished by being extremely dedicated to minimising its environmental impact - Nc’nean is certified organic, uses 100% renewable energy and was certified as net zero emissions in 2021, the first UK distillery to achieve this rating.

Nc’nean’s progressive nature applies to its social morals and culture as well as its distillation regime - the company is one of only a handful of UK distilleries awarded the coveted B Corporation status in recognition of its high ethical standards and commitment to sustainable practices. Nc’nean’s inaugural organic single malt whisky was released in 2020 and has been followed up with a series of successful small batch editions.

Distillery bottlings are, as the name suggests, bottled by or for the distillery from which the whisky has originated and are thus often referred to as Official Bottlings or OBs. Distillery bottlings are generally more desirable for collectors and usually fetch higher prices at auction than independent bottlings. They are officially-endorsed versions of the whisky from a particular distillery and are therefore considered the truest expression of the distillery’s character.

This ideal of the distillery character is regarded so seriously by the distilleries and brand owners that casks of whisky that are considered to vary too far from the archetype are frequently sold on to whisky brokers and independent bottlers. When this happens, it is often with the proviso that the distillery’s name is not allowed to be used when the cask is bottled for fear of diminishing or damaging the distillery’s character and status.