8 Doors Distillery

About the distillery

8 Doors Distillery is located in John O’Groats in Caithness and marks itself out as Scotland’s northernmost mainland distillery. The house was founded by Kerry and Derek Campbell and opened in September 2022. Here, a coastal setting meets a small, independent production, and the distillery works with both its own single malt, the Seven Sons range, and visitor experiences in the whisky lounge and Tasting Room.

History

The name 8 Doors comes from the Jan De Groot legend associated with John O’Groats. The story of the octagonal dwelling with eight doors and an eight-sided table explains both the name and the local roots that the distillery builds its identity on. Kerry and Derek Campbell say they have lived in the area their entire lives, and in October 2020 they launched the journey towards their own distillery. The first major milestone came on 5 September 2022, when the first cask was filled in John O’Groats, the first in the town in over 180 years. Shortly after, in September 2022, the distillery opened its doors. On 2 August 2023 came the official opening, carried out by King Charles. At the same time, the distillery emphasizes that John Ramsay’s many years of experience in Scotch whisky help shape the first whisky from the house and the Seven Sons range.

Raw materials and production

The production is based on the traditionally peated Scottish Distilling Malt, which is delivered as grist after milling. The blend is described as 20 percent husks, 70 percent grits, and 10 percent flour. The yeast, Fermentis M-1, is pitched manually into washbacks and, on average, takes around 100 hours to work, with a result that should highlight a light fruitiness in the new make. The distillery uses two traditional pot stills, made to their own design by Speyside Copper Works, and they are deliberately handmade with hammer marks as visible traces of the work. The wash still holds 1,700 liters, while the spirit still holds 1,300 liters. The slow distillation and the stills’ construction provide strong copper contact and visible reflux. The water comes from its own borehole 60 meters down in an aquifer. During the visit, you also get a clear sense that the entire place is designed as a small, specialized whisky house, where mashing, fermentation, and distillation are showcased in the production process.

Maturation and cask types

Maturation is a central theme at 8 Doors. The distillery uses first-fill sherry seasoned casks from Casknolia, where staves of American, European, and Spanish oak are shaped and seasoned in partner wineries for up to two years before being filled. Work is also done with a smaller number of ex-Bourbon casks. The cask selection ranges from 50-liter octave casks and 130-liter quarter casks to 250-liter hogsheads and 500-liter sherry butts. The aging takes place in an on-site warehouse, and the coastal climate—with cold, humid sea air, sea mist, and ocean spray—is a deliberate part of the maturation. In the 874 Club projects, particular emphasis is placed on how different oak types and first-fill casks should be used to follow the whisky’s development over time.

Whiskies

The range is built around two clear tracks, while the house’s own single malt matures. Seven Sons is a series of small-batch, independent bottlings that are on release while you wait for the first 8 Doors Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Here you’ll find, among other things, a 10-year-old blended Scotch whisky, a 34-year-old single grain, and a special Spirit of Brazil edition at 28 years. In addition, there is Five Ways blended liqueur, which is part of the house’s current lineup and is also used in visits and tastings. 874 Club represents the distillery’s limited-membership and cask project, which ties customers closely to the early whisky journey.

Whisky style and tasting profile

The style points toward light fruitiness from the yeast, clean grain character from the peated malt, and a distinct oak and cask influence from first-fill sherry seasoned casks. At the same time, the coastal climate contributes a maritime touch to the maturation, while Five Ways offers a more spiced and sweet profile with orange, ginger, honey, and spice. Overall, the distillery’s expression appears built on fresh spirit, mature fruit from fermentation, and the deep influence of oak and sea air.

Visit the distillery

It is possible to visit 8 Doors Distillery. There is a whisky lounge, café, shop, drams, tours, and tastings, and the venue is open seven days a week from 10:00. The guided Behind the Scenes Distillery Tour runs on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 12:30 or 15:00, lasts about 60 minutes, and costs £15 per person. The tour takes you through mashing, fermentation, and distillation, then to a traditional dunnage-style warehouse, and ends in the Tasting Room with samples of New Make Spirit and Seven Sons. There is room for a maximum of 10 guests, booking is recommended, and in some cases walk-ins or group visits can be arranged with five days’ notice. The tours are only for adults over 18. Access conditions include a parking area close to the door, a ramp from the main car park, and an accessible toilet in the whisky lounge/café area.

The stated opening hours are Open 7 days a week from 10:00. Behind the Scenes Distillery Tour runs on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 12:30 or 15:00, seasonally until the end of September. The group is max. 10 people, duration approx. 60 minutes, and walk-in booking is possible if there is availability.
See times and book a visit.

Philosophy and craftsmanship

8 Doors is clearly connected to place and storytelling. Whisky is described as more than what’s in the glass; it’s also about stories, memories, and togetherness. The distillery describes itself as small and independent, and places as much emphasis on maturation as on distillation. The collaboration with John Ramsay is used to develop both Seven Sons and the house’s own single malt, and Fair Work principles are mentioned as part of day-to-day working life in the company.

Latest news

Spirit of Brazil - A landmark Scotland-Brazil Spirits Collaboration – 2026-04-15

The distillery is taking part in the Spirit of Brazil initiative with a rare 28-year-old Seven Sons single cask at Hampden Park and a charitable dimension that links whisky, football, and shared cultural heritage.

Blending Tradition with Innovation – Our Trade Mission to Japan – 2025-05-02

A trade mission to Japan introduced Seven Sons whisky and Five Ways liqueur to new audiences and included meetings with buyers as well as participation at the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025.

100 Years of Duncansby Head Lighthouse – 2024-03-22

Local celebration of the 100th anniversary of Duncansby Head Lighthouse included a music and light show, an open mic, a workshop in the Tasting Room, and a Dram and Draw session.

King Charles officially opens 8 Doors Distillery – 2023-08-02

The official opening of the distillery was carried out by King Charles on 2 August 2023.

The story behind the name. – 2020-10-11

A post tells the story of the Jan De Groot legend that inspired the name 8 Doors Distillery.