SCOTLAND’S LATEST ADDITION to whisky production was officially opened by the First Minister on Monday – the result of years of planning and investment that will provide a “significant” employment boost.
Guests at the launch of production in the Dalmunach Distillery included Alexandre Ricard, chief executive of the Paris-based group that owns the iconic Chivas Brothers.
The opening of the new Speyside distillery – the result of a £25million investment – is not the final investment by Pernod Ricard on their Scottish arm. The company revealed that preparatory work was already under way for an expansion of their Glenlivet Distillery near Ballindalloch.
Speaking at the opening of the new distillery Moray’s MP, Angus Robertson, said: “I am delighted to see the opening of Dalmunach Distillery.
“It is the culmination of years of planning and investment by Chivas and provides significant employment in the whisky sector from the people working on site through the substantial amount of supply chain work it supports.
“Moray’s whisky sector is really booming with literally hundreds of millions being invested in this internationally significant product produced right here in Speyside.”
Local councillor for Speyside/Glenlivet, Pearl Paul, added: “Thousands of people in Moray benefit from the whisky sector – from farmers growing the barley, to engineering firms, haulage contractors right through to the direct employment at the distilleries and substantial tourism attraction the industry supports.
“This investment in Dalmunach Distillery builds the vital whisky sector still further.
“It is great to see the derelict site of the former Imperial Distillery being completely re-designed and brought back into use as a brand new state of the art facility.”
Dalmunach is Scotland’s 115th working distillery.