The farmhouse distillery near Pitlochry, and the famous salmon River Tummel, was founded by the farmer Charles Duff in 1816 and closed in 1878. The Duff Family run other Perthshire farm distilleries like Balnacraig, Grandtully, Logierait, Moulin and Tullymet.

They had to close their distillery due to the enormous competion with the bigger distilleries of the time. „Blending and the industrialisation of whisky distilling made it very difficult to compete,“ says Ian Buxton, the proprietor. The Duffs moved to the Speyside where they started distilling whisky „on a larger scale again.“ Other names of the distillery are Tamachoil and Tombdachoill (see Misako Udo).

In 1831 the Royal Commission on Whisky recorded a small wash still and a spirit still with an annual production of 1.000 Gallons or 4.550 litres of whisky.

The remains of the distillery can still be seen, but there is no distilling equipment. The place was owned by the famous and well known whisky author Ian Buxton and his wife Lindsay until summer 2013. The place was sold for about £480,000 in 2013I.

See also Ian Buxton‘s introduction: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeRgjQ8EAjk

No access, strictly private.

Ian Buxton wrote the following description:

„A typical 19th Century farmhouse distillery, Tomdachoille was established around 1816 by Charles Duff. Noted distillers of their day, the Duff family continued to operate the distillery until 1878 when they removed their operations to Speyside (John Duff was one of the founders of Glenlossie and later Longmorn distilleries).

By 1821 the distillery was well established and is recorded as making 3,905 gallons (approx. 17,700 litres) of spirit for ‘home consumption’ (i.e. in Scotland). By contrast, at the same period the Lagavulin distillery made 4,178 gallons and Ardbeg 4,183!

Following its life as a distillery Tomdachoille was operated more recently as a dairy. Today, nothing remains of the distillery operations except the buildings and some remnants of a malting floor.

However, recent changes in legislation have prompted the revival of craft distilling and it is now possible – subject to the necessary consents – to viably operate a boutique distillery on a traditional farmhouse scale such as at Tomdachoille. Previously the law, which dated back to 1823, required that stills must have a minimum capacity of 400 gallons or 18 hectolitres, thus effectively barring small-scale operations.

Today, HM Revenue & Customs are required only to “protect the revenue” and must act reasonably in applying their judgement. So you can apply to operate any size of still your heart desires and unless HMRC can come up with a reasonable objection they are obliged to grant permission. Tomdachoille can live again!“

Ian Buxton wrote: „A typical 19th Century farmhouse distillery, Tomdachoille was established around 1816 by Charles Duff. Noted distillers of their day, the Duff family continued to operate the distillery until 1878 when they removed their operations to Speyside (John Duff was one of the founders of Glenlossie and later Longmorn distilleries).

By 1821 the distillery was well established and is recorded as making 3,905 gallons (approx. 17,700 litres) of spirit for ‘home consumption’ (i.e. in Scotland). By contrast, at the same period the Lagavulin distillery made 4,178 gallons and Ardbeg 4,183!

Following its life as a distillery Tomdachoille was operated more recently as a dairy. Today, nothing remains of the distillery operations except the buildings and some remnants of a malting floor.

However, recent changes in legislation have prompted the revival of craft distilling and it is now possible – subject to the necessary consents – to viably operate a boutique distillery on a traditional farmhouse scale such as at Tomdachoille. Previously the law, which dated back to 1823, required that stills must have a minimum capacity of 400 gallons or 18 hectolitres, thus effectively barring small-scale operations.

Today, HM Revenue & Customs are required only to “protect the revenue” and must act reasonably in applying their judgement. So you can apply to operate any size of still your heart desires and unless HMRC can come up with a reasonable objection they are obliged to grant permission. Tomdachoille can live again!“

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