In November 2000, some 75 years after the original Glengyle distillery had been shuttered, J & A Mitchell announced that it had organised Mitchell’s Glengyle Ltd to acquire the original distillery and put it back into operation.
Two stills, originally from the Ben Wyvis Distillery, were adapted and installed in the distillery. The shoulders of the onion-shaped stills were rounded and, more importantly, the lyne arms were given an upward slant in order to produce a lighter, fragrant, whisky. The mill was bought from the Craigellachie Distillery in Dufftown. All other equipment was purchased new. The distillery began production in March 25, 2004, making it the first new distillery in Campbeltown in 125 years.
Mitchell’s Glengyle was unable to purchase the rights to the Glengyle brand from Loch Lomond, who had ended up with it when they purchased Glen Scotia, so they opted to create a new brand, “Kilkerran.” The word “Kilkerran” is derived from the Gaelic Ceann Loch Cille Chiarain (head of the lake of St. Kieran’s cell). This was the name of the original settlement founded by Saint Kieran. It’s believed that the town of Campbeltown now sits on that spot.