New owner sought for Bladnoch Distillery

[bifter]

SCOTLAND'S most southerly whisky distillery is seeking a new owner, after its owner entered liquidation.

The Bladnoch Distillery and Visitor Centre, near Wigtown, is owned by the County Down-based firm Co-ordinated Development Services, who called in the liquidators last week, and the distillery entrance is roped off, with a sign informing visitors that the site is shut until further notice.

For the past two decades it has been run by Raymond Armstrong, a businessman with an interest in whisky, who bought the distillery in 1994 after it had been mothballed by United Distillers the previous year.

He spent over five years renovating the distillery, with production of the Bladnoch lowland malt recommencing in 2000.

Since his takeover, the distillery has become a popular tourist attraction, with a visitor centre, guided tours and shop.

Operated by fewer than 10 employees, it dates back nearly 200 years and accountants Ernst and Young - appointed to dispose of the assets - are understood to be keen on selling Bladnoch as a going concern.

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/food-drink/features/new-owner-sought-for-bladnoch-distillery-1-3344380
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"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

[bifter]

Best of luck to Raymond et al. One would have thought, having done the hard miles, that it would be making a good return by now, particularly with demand at a high. I guess it's more complicated than that though. [edit: it is]

I'm going down there in May for a wedding and had been hoping to visit. Hopefully a new buyer will be found soon.
_________________
"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

[Keith]

No great surprise, i think this has been coming for a while, such a shame.

[William]

I believe the four directors/shareholders could not agree, two wanted to sell, two did not and i think production has been intermittent in recent times. Unfortunately there were no buyers wishing to acquire a 50% share holding and as the value of the distillery as a whole had increased considerably the directors/shareholders haven't been able to reach an amicable agreement. I believe the relationships between the directors/shareholders were appalling and to the detriment of the company even effecting production.

Hopefully the liquidators can find a buyer to sell Bladnoch as a going concern. Perhaps there are a few cash rich independent bottlers out there who would like to step up to be a distillery owner.
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[Blackadder]

Bladnoch ceased production back back in 2009 apparently due to production costs and i dont believe production ever resumed again.

The way the popularity of whisky is going perhaps Diageo will buy Bladnock back.

[John]

That is a pity. Hopefully someone will buy it as a going concern.

I wonder what will happen with the storage warehouse space which Bladnoch rented out to other distilleries. I think they had 11 warehouses at Bladnoch and only used 1 themselves.

[Mark]

I wonder why they let it it get to the point of liquidation and dint sell it as before now.

[sorren]

I think this news is so so sad, and I wish Raymond every all the best, and to the staff I hope everything works out for you, as for the sale, I hope it goes to a family or indie, it wouldn't be the same in the big boys hands !! But even that would be better than it closing it's doors ..