Whisky Focus - Benromach Double Production

Benroamch, Speyside's smallest distillery is set for a major expansion to meet growing demand for their single malt whisky around the world.

Benromach distillery, which only reopened in 1998 when family-owned whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail extensively refurbished the distillery to bring it back to its former glory, has seen massive growth in sales recent years.

Currently only two distillers, Keith Cruickshank and Mike Ross, produce the handcrafted Benromach range but as part of a seven figure investment in the whisky, Gordon & MacPhail is to recruit a third distiller and double the current production.

Managing Director Michael Urquhart said: "We are very proud of Benromach whisky. It’s handcrafted and the only traditional Speyside whisky currently being produced.

"It’s been a huge success and we know we will need to increase production if we are to meet demand in the future. Whisky production is a business that needs vision and long term planning and this is a sign of the confidence we have in the Benromach brand.

"This investment comes on the back of 40% growth in worldwide sales in 2012 and continued strong growth in 2013, coupled with our ongoing projections.

"Keith and Mike are very much looking forward to welcoming a third member of the team in the coming months."

As well as employing a third stillman, the company will build another two warehouses next to the Forres distillery as well as recruiting a brand manager.

Benromach Distillery, established in 1898, was purchased by Gordon & MacPhail in 1993 after being closed for many years.

It was completely refurbished and refitted and was officially re-opened in 1998 by HRH The Prince of Wales. Since then it has launched a series of single malt whiskies including the flagship 10 Years Old.

The company recently won their second Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, partly as a result of the success of Benromach. Total company exports had risen 55 per cent in 2012 and have doubled in the three previous years.

Overall sales of Benromach continue to build with an increase of 40 per cent in the last year. Along with a strong UK presence, Benromach is now exported to 40 countries with major markets in Sweden, China, France and the US.

The company has won many awards during the last decade for a series of innovative products including Benromach Organic in 2006, the world’s first fully certified organic whisky.
 

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