BenRiach distillery buys Glenglassaugh

[bifter]

BenRiach Distillery Company has acquired Glenglassaugh Distillery from its Amsterdam-based owner Lumiere Holdings for an undisclosed sum.

Glenglassaugh Distillery in Banffshire is now owned by Edinburgh-based BenRiach
The Banffshire distillery, which has garnered much attention since reopening in 2008 following a 22-year closure, has the capacity to produce up to 1.1 million litres of whisky a year.

BenRiach, which purchased GlenDronach Distillery in 2008, intends to bring Glanglassaugh, which dates back to 1875, back to its former glory through a monetary investment.

"We're really delighted to buy Glenglassaugh, a renowned Highland single malt with a rich and distinguished heritage,"? said Billy Walker, master blender and co-owner of BenRiach. "It's an excellent complementary fit with our existing BenRiach and GlenDronach brands. Part of its attraction to us is that it isn't too large for our portfolio but its potential in contributing to the group certainly is.

"I believe our whisky expertise, proven brand-building ability and strong routes to market will help take Glenglassaugh to the next level."?

"The timing is good as there is no doubt we are currently in a golden age for Scotch whisky. There's unprecedented demand for high-end brands like ours in places like Taiwan, Scandinavia, USA, China, India, Russia, the Middle East, South Africa and South America, and we now have the fantastic opportunity to re-introduce Glenglassaugh to these markets."?

Since its reopening five years ago, Glenglassaugh has produced two new single malt Scotch whiskies.

Revival, a 46% abv bottling aged in a mixture of first and refill Bourbon casks and finished for six months in first fill olorose Sherry butts, was released in May 2012.

Evolution, a 57.2% abv bottling aged in ex-Bourbon barrels, launched in November 2012 with a limited release of just 6,000 bottles.

In June last year the distillery revealed it had already turned a profit two to five years earlier than forecast.

Stuart Nickerson, managing director of Glenglassaugh, said: "It's great to be back in Scottish hands. We've grown the business significantly and today's announcement means continued investment and will also allow the business to grow further and more rapidly."?

http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2013/03/benriach-distillery-buys-glenglassaugh/
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"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

[William]

You beat to to it bifter, BenRiach sent me the press release about this on Friday afternoon and i was going to find time today to add it to the site.

I think it is a good move for BenRiach and for Glenglassaugh. Good timing also as Glenglassaugh should have some maturing stock coming of age in the not too distant future.
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[Grant M]

I had the chance to taste the Glenglassaugh 21 year old at the whisky show a few years ago and it was brilliant, if they turn out that same quality with the new stuff they have produced since reopening then they will be on to a winner.

[Keith]

Thats good news, Billy Walker has done some good things with Benriach and Glendronach and hopefully he will do the same with Glenglassaugh and we should have a few new interesting affordable to drink whiskies in the near future.

[Diademo]

I really like BenRiach and GlenDronach business philosophy and approach with their single cask program. I hope that they will follow this with Glenglassaugh as well.

Now I have a good reason (yeah right:) to get Glenglassaugh OB 19 Year Old (distilled 1986, bottled 2006). Anyone tried this one?

[Alastair]

I agree good news and i am sure we will see something interesting coming from Glenglassaugh in the future.

Diademo, I havent tried the Glenglassaugh OB 19 year old 1986, i see it is at The Whisky Exchange for £99.95, so it is a tempting price when you look at the price of other older bottlings of Glenglassaugh. If it comes close to the 21 year old Grant mentions it should be very good.[/quote]

[Diademo]