Raise a glass to tiny distillery opening in land of whisky giants
IT started out in a few remote Highland glens before growing into Scotland’s most valuable product, worth billions of pounds a year to the economy.
Now it seems whisky is looking back to its past, with a small family-run distillery set to open in the industry’s heartland.
Plans will be unveiled next month for the new micro-distillery in Moray. It is believed to be the first of its kind in the country – but several more are in the pipeline.
Guy Macpherson- Grant will introduce the distillery, in the grounds of Ballindalloch Castle, during a major whisky festival. It is hoped that production will start in July.
However, the whisky will not be mass-produced. Everything in the process will be grown on the estate and sold only in the castle shop.
Mr MacPherson- Grant said: ‘A couple of years ago, when the family were looking at strategies for the future, we came to the conclusion that there was nowhere else in the world more suited to whisky distillation than Speyside.
‘As the world’s leading production area, Speyside is steeped in whisky heritage, skills and experience. Using these fundamental elements, we plan to produce a product that lives up to the excellent reputation of Speyside globally.
‘This, together with the natural resources available on the estate, means we are able to make whisky using the traditional values of a small family distillery, so common in the past but rarely seen today.
‘As soon as it’s finished, matured and bottled, the whisky will be available for purchase at the castle. There’s nothing more satisfying than creating your own product. Just like growing your own food, I can metaphorically sow the seeds, settle down and watch it grow.’
Ballindalloch Distillery will produce 75,000 litres of single malt whisky a year – a far cry from the 800 bottles a minute being produced by the major distillers.
Rosemary Gallagher of the Scotch Whisky Association said: ‘There has always been scope for distilleries of all sizes in the industry, from smaller farm distilleries producing thousands of litres a year to those producing several millions.’
Meanwhile, international whisky sales are soaring – with exports worth £4.3billion last year – and more than 20 new distilleries are planned.
The United States remains the largest export market, with sales leaping 29 per cent to £391million in the first half of last year.
Whisky exports to France grew by 6 per cent to £199million, while in Singapore they jumped by 19 per cent to £174million.
Exports to South and Central America have also increased, with sales in Mexico rising 67 per cent to £53million, overtaking Brazil as the largest market.
However, sales in Brazil have also risen, by 42 per cent to £49.4million, while those to Venezuela advanced to £46.2million.