From an idea to first spirit
Jonny McMillan and Angus MacRaild first conceived Kythe in 2014.1,6 In April 2023 the founders announced their plans, with McMillan as distillery manager, Aaron Chan as chairman and MacRaild as whisky maker.7,8 They planned seven wooden washbacks, the tanks where fermentation happens, and an electrically heated spirit still, and hoped to start production in late 2024.7,8 The three founders were majority shareholders, alongside a small group of investors from around the world.6 The name Kythe is a Scots word meaning 'to show, demonstrate or prove'.2,3,4 Commissioning, the testing of the new plant, began in early 2026.