Scotch distillery to reopen after 20-year hiatus

Published: 23 July, 2008

A mothballed Scotch whisky distillery is to start production again after a 22-year gap, thanks to a 5million Dutch investment consortium.

Highland distillery Glenglassaugh, which was owned by The Edrington Group, ceased production in 1986, and was a contributor to the Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark blends.

But a 3m cash injection from The Scaent Group, as well as a further 2m start-up funding from Barclays Commercial's Scotland team, will see 20 jobs created at the distillery, which is located in the village of Portsoy on the Moray coast.

A visitor centre will be opened once the distillery is operational, and at first, older remaining stocks of whisky will be sold.

Stuart Nickerson, a consultant on the project and now managing director, said: "The start-up funding will cover running costs for the first year - we estimate it will take six or seven months to bring the distillery back to full working order.

"Glenglassaugh has the capacity to make one million litres of whisky a year, and has high growth potential. The product will appeal to malt collectors, those on high disposable incomes, and target markets include eastern Europe."

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