VISITORS LINE UP FOR BLACKWOODS FIRST DROP LAUNCH AND PREVIEW OF BRAND HOME AS CROWDS DECEND ON ARDGOWAN FOR SECOND ANNUAL OPEN DAY

Distil plc (AIM:DIS), owner of premium drinks brands Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, RedLeg Spiced Rum, TRØVE Botanical Vodka and Blavod Black Vodka, is pleased to note that Ardgowan Distillery Company Limited ("Ardgowan"), hosted its second annual Open Day on Saturday 7 September at the distillery site in Inverkip, with the Distil team in attendance for visitors to preview the Blackwoods Brand Home and launch Blackwoods First Drop.

The site welcomed thousands of visitors on the day from the local area and further afield, including USA, Austria, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand. Guests were given the opportunity to sign-up to Clan Ardgowan, pre-purchase an Ardgowan cask, and secure limited-edition Ardgowan Open Day bottlings, with Master Whisky Maker, Max Mcfarlane, on hand to host whisky tastings and sign bottles.

In addition, guests were given the opportunity to preview the Blackwoods Brand Home, taste and purchase the range, including the exclusive release of the limited-edition Blackwoods First Drop - the first gin to have been distilled at Ardgowan.

The Blackwoods visitor centre is scheduled to open before the end of 2024 and will include a gin and vodka school where guests can try their hand at distilling their own bespoke bottlings, tasting room, bar and retail space.

Alongside whisky and gin tastings, visitors were treated to live music from crowd pleasers The Laurettes, Reely Jiggered and DJ Bruce Glenny, as well as food trucks, and pop-up bars serving Ardgowan and Blackwoods cocktails.

The day was a celebration of the Ardgowan journey so far, and the local community, which the distillery will be a part of for years to come.

Commenting on the Open Day, Martin McAdam, CEO Ardgowan, said: "Our Second Annual Open Day was a resounding success, surpassing all expectations. We were delighted to welcome whisky enthusiasts from near and far, with our most distant visitor travelling an impressive 12,000 miles from New Zealand. The perfect weather complemented the day's high spirits, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

This year's event was larger, more refined, and exceptionally well-organized. We're thrilled to announce that next year's Open Day will coincide with our distillery becoming fully operational, promising an even more exciting and immersive experience for families and whisky lovers alike.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated Ardgowan team, our talented entertainers, and all the suppliers who contributed to making this day truly special. 2024 has set a new standard for our annual celebration."

Distil Executive Chairman, Don Goulding, said: "It was excellent to be a part of the Ardgowan Open Day, which was a resounding success. The team raised the game this year and created a great atmosphere.

We were delighted to have the Distil team on site to give visitors an exclusive preview of Blackwoods new home and taste and purchase the range, with huge support shown for the Blackwoods First Drop which launched on the day and has already been nominated for industry awards. The feedback we received from visitors on both the existing range and new product was outstanding and we look forward to welcoming them back to the brand home once this opens to the public.

Distil's partnership with Ardgowan remains of the upmost importance to the business and we look forward to continuing mutual support and growth for many years to come."

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About Distil

Distil Plc is quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. It owns drinks brands in a number of sectors of the alcoholic drinks market. These include premium spiced rum, vodka, gin, vodka vanilla cream liqueur and are called RedLeg Spiced Rum. Blackwoods Vintage Gin, Blackwoods Vodka, TRØVE Botanical Vodkas, Blavod Original Black Vodka and Diva Vodka.

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