Ad Gefrin Distillery

The project was conceived by Eileen and Alan Ferguson in 2018, who imagined a destination that would combine whisky production, Anglo-Saxon history, dining, and hospitality in a single architectural statement. Stills arrived on site in 2022, with the first spirit running before the venue's public opening. The landmark Nordic longhouse-inspired building opened on 25 March 2023, with Alan and Eileen Ferguson cutting the ribbon. The inaugural blended whisky Tácnbora — a combination of Scotch and Irish whiskies sourced while own-distilled spirit matured — was released on 27 October 2022, predating the building's opening. Thirlings Dry Gin launched on 15 June 2023, incorporating Cheviot heather, pine, elderberry, and coastal botanicals. Whisky casks with ex-Sauternes, ex-Amarone, and ex-Cognac finishes were released in July 2024. The distillery's own Northumbrian Single Malt — distilled from Cheviot barley — reached maturity three years after the first casks were filled in October 2022. In 2024 the distillery won three medals at the IWSC: Silver for Tácnbora, Bronze for Corenkyn, and Bronze for Thirlings Gin.

Distillation uses locally grown Cheviot barley and water sourced from Northumberland. Specific still sizes and total annual capacity have not been publicly disclosed; the operation is craft-scale. Spirit is matured in a range of cask types including ex-Sauternes, ex-Amarone, and ex-Cognac finishes alongside conventional bourbon and sherry wood, reflecting the distillery's appetite for non-traditional maturation. The whisky programme includes both a vatted/blended expression (Tácnbora) and an estate-distilled Northumbrian Single Malt for when own-make spirit reached age.

Tácnbora — the flagship during maturation — is a blended whisky combining Scotch and Irish components, Silver-medalled at the IWSC 2024. The Northumbrian Single Malt draws on Cheviot barley and the mineral water of the Till valley. The gin range (Thirlings Dry Gin) uses Cheviot botanicals including heather, pine, and elderberry alongside coastal notes. The Flýte Whisky Cream Liqueur brings the whisky character into an accessible, sweeter format for the visitor trade.

The venue in Wooler, Northumberland, is open for tours and tastings which must be booked in advance via adgefrin.co.uk. The visitor experience includes The Great Hall museum dedicated to the Anglo-Saxon palace of Ad Gefrin, the Bēodern restaurant (serving daytime meals, afternoon tea, and evening dining), a gift shop, and whisky tastings. Dogs are welcome on site. Two membership tiers are available: Corenkyn Founder Member and Corengyst Annual Pass, each offering exclusive bottlings and events.