Distillers are investing to keep spirit choice flowing
ACQUISITION, expansion and new spirit add up to interesting times in the whisky industry.
Tormore Distillery has changed hands with Elixir Distillers buying the distillery and its brand from former owner Pernod Ricard.
The distillery in Speyside was built in 1960 and granted listed building status in 1986.
Co-founder of Elixir, Sukhinder Singh, said: “Our goal is to establish the reputation of Tormore on the global stage to match the special quality of the whisky.
“We will be refurbishing the distillery and we also plan to build a visitor centre.”
“Our goal is to establish the reputation of Tormore on the global stage.”
Meanwhile, The GlenDronach Distillery near Huntly is to increase production as part of a recently-announced £30 million investment by Brown-Forman.
Plans include the restoration of the former maltings building as a working production area.
Distillery manager, Laura Tolmie, said: ”I’m delighted that this significant investment in the long-term future of the distillery is secured, preserving our heritage whilst ensuring we can meet the increasing demand for The GlenDronach at home and around the world.”
Elsewhere, independent bottling company, the Islay Boys, is moving into distilling after having planning permission approved to build the Laggan Bay Distillery on Islay. The company has agreed a partnership with Ian Macleod Distillers – owner of the Glengoyne and Tamdhu distilleries – to help bring the new Islay distillery to fruition.
Leonard Russell, chairman of Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “I have known and worked with the Islay Boys for a long time, and I’m delighted to be able to bring our long experience to the Laggan Bay Distillery project.”
Meanwhile, there was cause for celebration at The Cairn Distillery in Grantown-on-Spey when spirit flowed from its stills for the first time.
The Cairn is the second distillery in Gordon & MacPhail’s portfolio; the company also owns Benromach in Forres.
“This was a very special moment to mark the efforts of all the people involved in the project.”
Planning permission for the new distillery was granted in 2019 and work started on site once COVID restrictions on construction were lifted in July 2020.
Managing director, Ewen Mackintosh, said: “This was a very special moment to mark the efforts of all the people involved in the project over the last few years and a moment to signify the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Gordon & MacPhail.”
And Isle of Arran Distillers also had cause for celebration with the launch of its Lagg single malt.
The Lagg facility, on the south of Arran, is the company’s second distillery. It has operated its Lochranza Distillery, on the north of the island, since 1995.
Distillery manager, Graham Omand, said: “We are delighted to finally announce the very first inaugural single malt release.”
