The Scotch whisky distilleries using worm tub condensers
Our recent blog post on the importance of copper contact in whisky distillation mentioned the two condenser systems currently used in the Scotch whisky industry: worm tubs and shell and tube condensers.
Shell and tube condensers are more modern, easier to repair/replace and thought to provide better copper contact. This style has largely replaced traditional worm tub condensers in the industry. However, some distilleries do still use traditional worm tubs and maintain that this type of condenser affects the characteristics of their spirit (texturally complex, meaty and sulphury are the typical notes given).
Below is a list of the 19 (soon to be 20) Scotch whisky distilleries that use worm tub condensers.
1. Ardnahoe
Founded in 2017 by Hunter Laing & Company, Ardnahoe illustrates that it is not just the older, established distilleries holding on to their worm tubs. Unique on Islay in using traditional worm tubs, they say: “This style of condensing used to be common throughout Scotland but fell somewhat out of favour in the 20th century because its use necessitates particularly slow distillation. Whilst the accountants may not share our enthusiasm, we believe the benefits of this less efficient method will ultimately be apparent in the glass!”
2. Ballindalloch
Another new distillery (founded in 2014 by the Macpherson-Grant family), Ballindalloch runs its wooden worm tubs slightly hotter than usual to increase conversion between the cooling spirit vapours and the copper.
3. Balmenach
Owned by Inver House Distillers, Balmenach is not currently represented by an official single malt. Caorunn gin operates out of the same production site.
4. Benrinnes
Owned by Diageo, most of the production at Benrinnes goes into blended whiskies such as Johnnie Walker, J&B and Crawford’s 3 Star. Most of the Benrinnes single malt is produced through independent bottlings, with the only official single malt being the Flora and Fauna 15 year old.
5. Brora
Also owned by Diageo, this legendary distillery was reopened in 2021 after a 3 year renovation project having been mothballed since 1983. Traditional production methods are still being used including their worm tub condensers.
Master Distiller Stewart Bowman commented, "The worm tubs that existed in 1983 had been removed as they were in a state of disrepair. These were replaced using existing archive information that allowed us to recreate them as closely as possible to what existed before.’’
6. Cragganmore
Cragganmore is an example of a Diageo-owned distillery which has replaced its traditional copper worms with new tubs made from stainless steel (in spring 2022).
7. Craigellachie
One of five distilleries owned by John Dewar & Sons, Craigellachie is the only one to use traditional worm tubs to condense its spirit vapours. Again, the tubs were upgraded to stainless steel in 2014 but the original copper worms were kept.
8. Dalwhinnie
Situated high in the Grampian mountains, Diageo’s Dalwhinnie arguably set the precedent for distilleries being minded to stick with their worm tubs. In the 1990s, the distillery famously switched to the more modern shell and tube condensers only to find that the character of their new make spirit was drastically altered. The worm tubs were swiftly reinstalled!
