Galloway Distillery

Graham Taylor got the idea in 2013, after joking with his brother Stephen about a small whisky distillery that was for sale.^2,4 He founded Crafty with his father, Billy Taylor, and friend Craig Rankin; plans were submitted in 2015, and building began in February 2017.^1,2,3

In December 2020 Crafty announced plans for a Lowland single malt called Billy & Co, named for Graham Taylor's late father, Billy, who built the distillery.^1,6,7 It also joined a Bairds Malt trial to test new barley varieties.^1,6,7 The first whisky used only Scottish barley, and fermentation, when yeast turns sugary water from the mash into a beer called wash, could last as long as 168 hours.¹ In August 2023 Nicky Docherty, who had worked at Ardnamurchan Distillery since it began, took over as distillery manager.^8,9 Craig Rankin handed over the manager role and took on the commercial director and master distiller roles.^8,9

In 2024 Crafty announced plans for a new production and visitor building with a commitment to net zero production, which Dumfries and Galloway Council approved.^1,10,11 Work on the net-zero distillery was set to break ground in spring 2026.^1,10,11 Actor Sam Heughan and business partner Alex Norouzi completed their purchase of Crafty in late September 2025.^1,11,12 Crafty already made Heughan's Sassenach gin, and the new owners planned to make The Sassenach there too.^1,11,12