Spooky Spirits: 7 Haunted Distilleries to Visit

Most distilleries have a long history of whisky production with workers coming and going. Some buildings have had their own history long before any distilling took place, whether it was an old hotel, a prison or even an abbey. 

It is no wonder that distilleries are among the most haunted buildings. If those walls could speak, they would have some stories to tell… 

Toast Halloween with a nice dram and enjoy these spirited tales of the most haunted whisky distilleries. 

Kilbeggan Distillery

Kilbeggan first opened its doors in 1757, making it one of the oldest licensed distilleries in the world. Matthew McManus and his son John managed the place their entire lives. Unfortunately, after 200 years of operation, the distillery closed its doors, and it remained closed until 1987. 

But before the distillery, a Cistercian Abbey rested on that site up until 1539. Legend goes that a monk dressed in black robes wanders the courtyard of the distillery. There have been many reports of the sound of his footsteps and whispers. It is believed he is attached to the land surrounding the distillery rather than the distillery itself.

If the ghost of a monk wasn’t enough, there have also been reports of the late Matthew McManus wandering around the distillery, perhaps making sure everything is running smoothly. 

Cardhu Distillery

Many distillery workers have encountered the ghost of a Cardhu washman at some point. Some say they have literally bumped into him in the control room or seen tools flying off the tables at random. 

It is believed to be the ghost of a distillery worker who passed away in 1994, just a month before his retirement. Now he is stuck at the distillery, unable to move on. 

Another deceased worker was also causing havoc at the distillery. His footsteps could be heard day after day. Eventually, someone discovered his old work boots and decided to burn them. It seemed to do the trick, as the footstep noises stopped after that. 

Old Forester Distilling Co.

Old Forester is located at the legendary Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. The building has been there since 1835, and the hotel used to host the likes of Charles Dickens, Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. It is said there were many deaths (some considered murders…) at the hotel over the years, and that the spirits still linger in the area. 

There have been reports of ghosts walking through walls, a woman in a white nightgown wandering the spaces, and there’s even been a sighting of a spectre drinking Bourbon from a sealed bottle. 

One employee said he came across an older gentleman who was dressed like a worker. He just stared back at him through the door before walking away. The employee later checked the security surveillance, but no one could be seen in the video. After this first occurrence, the employee kept seeing the old man every day for a week. 

Tomatin Distillery

Tomatin Distillery and its surrounding area is not haunted by a person, but by a wolf. Legend has it that the last wolf in Scotland was killed near the Tomatin Distillery. The ghost is said to hunt its prey before transforming into a smoky blue cloud.

It was once seen by a distillery worker who felt compelled to touch the wolf’s fur. As he reached out his hand, the animal evaporated into a cloud of ghostly smoke over the moorlands…

In honour of the ghost, the distillery released a special bottling called Cù Bòcan, which means “ghost dog” in Gaelic.

Bowmore Distillery

The legend goes that Islay crofter Lachlan Bàn was returning home in Scotland one dark and stormy night when he saw the ghostly silhouette of a headless horseman galloping away from his house.

When Lachlan entered his home, he found that the headless ghost had left an open bottle of Bowmore whisky in the middle of his kitchen table. The fire had also gone out. Thoroughly terrified, he didn’t fancy drinking the ghost’s gift, so he poured it away.

The true story has a bit more logic to it, however… 

Apparently, Lachlan’s brother later told him that he had paid him a visit that night, during the dreadful storm. 

Bushmills Distillery

Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland is haunted by a lady in grey. She is said to be Margaret, a distressed wife who is looking for her husband George. 

The couple used to live across from the distillery. Every night, George would take the couple’s dog for a walk, but one of those nights he never returned. Margaret has never stopped looking for her dear husband.

The staff of the distillery have reported cold spots in otherwise warm rooms and locked doors swinging open, with only unfamiliar hands being visible. 

Glendronach Distillery

You may have seen the latest marketing campaign of Glendronach Distillery with a Spanish lady dancing amongst the stills. 

The distillery in Scotland has always been big on sherry-cask maturation, and they used to import large numbers of Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks back in the 1970s. 

The tale goes that while unloading the casks at the distillery, one of the men noticed a woman dressed in scarlet and wearing a full mantilla escaping from one of the empty casks.

Since then, she has been spotted in various parts of the distillery. Rumour has it that Glen House is where she likes to spend most of her time. Apparently, she is quite partial to the odd tipple now and then.