Speyburn distillery unveils £4m expansion

Speyburn distillery in Scotland is set to benefit from a £4 million expansion programme to meet growing global demand for Scotch whisky.

Production at the distillery, located in a glen near Rothes in Speyside, will double from 1.8 million litres to over 4 million litres each year under the expansion increasing capacity, which is set to be completed by the end of 2014.

Speyburn, part of the Inver House Distillers portfolio and owned by International Beverage Holdings, is already expected to see a volume growth of 15% for the 2013 / 2014 period.

Graham Stevenson, Inver House Distillers’ managing director said: “As we continue to be very optimistic about the long term potential for Scotch whisky, particularly in the emerging BRIC, African and South East Asian economies, investment in our production capabilities is crucial. Having the infrastructure in place to produce our high quality whiskies in greater quantities will be key to the future success of our brands, so we are delighted to see the first phase of this major programme of work get underway at Speyburn Distillery.”

The expansion will also serve to reduce the distillery’s energy consumption by installing the most up-to-date and energy efficient distillation equipment – whilst maintaining the distillery’s traditional methods of production – with predicted energy savings of more than 20% once up and running.

Bobby Anderson, Speyburn distillery manager said: “This is an exciting time for everyone here at the distillery and we are working with a great team of local companies to deliver the expansion programme, whilst retaining the great traditions and time-honoured techniques involved with crafting our whisky.

“It’s exciting for us to know that even more people around the world will be able to enjoy a taste of Speyburn as the project progresses this year.”

Richard Lochhead, rural affairs secretary in Scotland, said: “We know there is great demand for Scotland’s national drink with whisky exports from the UK increasing by 87 per cent over the last ten years from £2.3 billion in 2002 to £4.3 billion in 2012, and the expansion of this distillery will play an important role in meeting that global appetite for our premium product.

“I also welcome the fact the distillery is showing leadership by reducing its carbon footprint through the installation of energy efficient distillation equipment, and playing its part in the move towards making Scotland a low carbon economy.”

Speyburn Distillery was founded in 1897 and produces Speyburn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky – a top 10 malt brand in the USA.

The Speyburn 10 Year Old, 25 Year Old and ‘Bradan Orach’ expressions are distilled using water from the nearby Granty Burn, a tributary of the River Spey, which is famed for its purity and world-class salmon fishing.