
The Orkney Distillery has unveiled an innovative membership program that offers whisky enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own shares in the Kirkwall-based company and secure exclusive access to its upcoming single malt releases.
The Latitude 59 club, named after Orkney’s northern geographical position, will limit membership to just 59 individuals.
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The Latitude 59 Club
Members of The Latitude 59 Club will each receive a share of the distillery and their very own 100-litre cask of Orkney single malt. The whisky is set to mature in 2030.
Additional benefits include access to rare bottlings, yearly cask tastings, special events, local products from Orkney, and an annual two-night stay on the island with dinner at the distillery.
Stephen Kemp, managing director of The Orkney Distillery, emphasized the historical significance of the venture. “We’re incredibly proud to be at the vanguard of this exciting new era of whisky production in Orkney and wanted to create something a bit special for the real whisky connoisseurs, and lovers of our islands, who are keenly anticipating the maturation of our single malt,” he said.
“The Latitude 59 Club is unique for Orkney in terms of the opportunity and experience it offers. As shareholders in The Orkney Distillery, club members will be part of the first whisky distillery to be created in Orkney for almost 140 years and will receive a bottle, from our casks maturing in 2027, of the first new single malt to emerge from the islands in that time.”
The distillery, already known for its award-winning Kirkjuvagr gin range, received its whisky production license in September 2023. Production began symbolically on International Whisky Day, March 27, with initial runs using small pilot stills producing several 50-litre barrels weekly.
Production Expansion Plans
Full-scale production is set to commence in March 2024 using new, larger stills. The first casks, including the coveted Cask Number One, will be allocated to Latitude Club members.
Historic Significance
The venture marks a significant milestone in Orkney’s whisky heritage – The Orkney Distillery is the first whisky distillery established in Orkney in almost 140 years, making the shareholder opportunity truly unique.
The 100-litre casks allocated to members are expected to yield over 120 70cl bottles at cask strength. Kemp added that the membership fee covers all storage, personalized bottling, taxes, and incidental costs.
“Places in the club are going to be limited to the first 59 subscribers and we’re already receiving a lot of interest, so we’d urge anyone who’d like to be part of this unique new Orcadian experience to get in touch as soon as possible.”