Pernod Ricard to sell Speyside’s Tormore Distillery

Single malt Scotch maker Tormore Distillery is to be sold to Elixir Distillers for an undisclosed sum.

Built in 1960 and known as “the pearl of Speyside”, Tormore Distillery sits on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park and has listed building status thanks to its neoclassical design. Owned by Pernod Ricard since 2005, it produces just shy of 5million litres of whisky per year.

No sum has been disclosed for the sale, but the agreement with Elixir Distillers is said to include Tormore’s inventory of aged stock.

It’s not the first time that Pernod Ricard has struck a deal with Elixir owners Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh. The French company bought The Whisky Exchange from the brothers in 2021.

Elixir Distillers specialises in fine spirits including Scotch whisky, Japanese whisky, rum and Tequila. Its core brands include Port Askaig, Elements of Islay, Single Malts of Scotland and Black Tot. The company is also in the midst of building a new distillery on Islay, which is due to open in 2024.

“Tormore is one of the most visually stunning distilleries in Speyside,” said Sukhinder Singh. “We are hoping to build on the work that’s been done by Pernod Ricard to show consumers around the world just what a hidden gem it is. We are humbled to be the new custodians of Tormore; we couldn’t have asked for a better distillery to welcome to the Elixir family alongside our new Islay distillery, Portintruan.”

Sukhinder and Rajbir have said they want Tormore to “stand shoulder to shoulder alongside the biggest names in single malt whisky” and hinted at plans to refurbish the distillery and build a visitor centre, as well as expand the distillery’s whisky range.

“Active portfolio management is an integral part of our long-term strategy,” revealed Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard. “The sale of the Tormore brand and distillery follows the recent announcement of our investment behind the Aberlour and Miltonduff facilities, which will increase our Scotch production capacities by 14 million litres of alcohol per annum.

“We are delighted to be handing Tormore over to Sukhinder and Rajbir, two friends and truly creative entrepreneurs and look forward to finding new ways to collaborate in the future.”

 

Related news

LCB's Glasgow warehouse tailors its Scottish offering

Ballantine’s releases rare 40-year-old Whisky ‘The Waiting’

Chivas Regal releases 'Tifosi Tartan' in partnership with Scuderia Ferrari