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£10 Million
distillery expansion signals the
Glenlivets bid for global leadership in
single malt Scotch whisky
 Chivas
Brothers today revealed a new £10
million expansion at The Glenlivet
Distillery in Speyside, supporting its
long term ambition to become the World’s
No 1 single malt and guaranteeing supply
for the future.
The distillery extension, which houses a
new mash tun, eight traditional oregon
pine washbacks and six expertly crafted
copper stills, represents a 75% increase
in production capacity allowing the
brand to capitalise on buoyant
international markets.
Earlier this year, the Scotch Whisky
Association reported that an impressive
performance in the second half of 2009
had contributed to record-breaking
levels of global exports for Scotch
whisky at the end of 2009. Exports have
risen by £977 million in shipment value
over the last ten years, representing a
45% increase.*
Christian Porta, Chivas Brothers
Chairman and CEO, reiterated the
importance of this investment to the
future success of The Glenlivet:
“Today’s opening represents the latest
milestone in a period of sustained
investment and strong growth in The
Glenlivet. Since 2002, we have taken the
brand from No 3 to No 2 globally with
investment in packaging, marketing and
new product development.
“The stunning new extension not only
gives us the production potential to
meet the buoyant demands of global
markets and, one day take the No 1 spot,
it is also a sympathetic and
aesthetically enduring legacy for
generations to come to admire.
“We are already leading from the front
in the US, the world’s most valuable
Scotch whisky market and No1 single malt
market, and we are now well-positioned
to replicate this success
internationally.”
The investment has already brought real
benefits to the local business community
with a team of local contractors
involved in the expansion. Overall
design was by architects LDN of Forres
whilst the principle contractor was A.D.
Walker of Banff. Subcontractors included
Simmers of Keith who built the steel
structure, specialist vat builders
Joseph Brown of Dufftown who installed 8
new traditional wooden washbacks, and
coppersmiths Forsyths of Rothes who
built 6 new stills exactly replicating
the distillery’s famous tall, wide still
shape.
The new building was designed to sit
sympathetically alongside other Grade
II* listed distillery buildings whilst
also delivering a first class modern
production facility that incorporates
the latest heat recovery technology to
aid efficiency. The open plan design
will also enhance the distillery’s
visitor experience which already holds 5
stars from the Scottish Tourist Board.
The distillery’s 45,000 annual visitors
will be able to see most of the
production process in one building and
also connect with the surrounding
landscape via the expansive use of glass
in the building.
This year’s opening coincides with the
recent appointment of new Master
Distiller Alan Winchester, a lifelong
resident of Speyside who has been a
leading light in the industry for 34
years.
Alan commented: “Scotch whisky is the
beating heart of Speyside and The
Glenlivet has been at the heart of the
industry since 1824. This is an historic
occasion that leaves a profound legacy
for tomorrow’s distillers and future
guardians of this Scotch whisky legend.
It has been a privilege to be involved.”
To celebrate the opening, a specially
created bottling, The Glenlivet
Founder’s Reserve, will be released in a
limited quantity of 1824 bottles to
reflect the year of the distillery’s
foundation. Selected from some of The
Glenlivet’s most precious casks, the
exceptional 21 year old non-chill
filtered Scotch whisky will be available
from the The Glenlivet Visitor Centre
while stocks last.
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