US spirits firm Brown-Forman has revealed plans for a multi-million pound expansion at The Glendronach distillery. The group submitted planning application for the investment to Aberdeenshire Council earlier this month.
The planned renovations seek to maintain and improve the site and ensure the longterm growth of The Glendronach brand. Whisky from the distillery has been in increasingly high demand in recent years, with global demand for The Glendronach tripling since 2016 according to Brown-Forman.
These plans mark the third in a series of redevelopment projects undertaken at The Glendronach. In 2020, a number of improvements were made to the visitor experience at the site. A new tasting room, whisky bar, and retail space were all constructed.
Attention shifted to enhancing production capabilities a couple of years later. 2022 saw a £30 million expansion to double production capacity. The main focus of the work was restoring the former floor maltings into a full-time production space.
If approved, this latest round of investment will continue to improve the general visitor experience. Firstly, the Boynsmill House and walled gardens on the site will be transformed into a luxury guest experience. A heritage warehouse will also be converted into an all-new visitor centre. Finally, car parking facilities will be upgraded and improvements will be made to the ground’s landscape.
Importantly, all existing buildings are set to be unaffected by the works, so production should not be impacted during the renovation.
It is hoped that all work will be completed by 2026 - just in time for the distillery’s bicentennial celebrations.
Jennifer Proctor, head of European homeplaces at Brown-Forman, said: “This significant investment in the long-term future of the distillery will enable us to continue to preserve almost 200 years of rich heritage whilst ensuring we can meet the increasing demand in visitors for The Glendronach at home and around the world.”
In addition to their Scotch whisky portfolio, Brown-Forman are also home to a number of well-known American whiskey brands, including Jack Daniels. In recent years the group has also iannounced plans to expand their Woodford Reserve site and the distillery responsible for producing Old Forester.
It’s fantastic to see such large companies continue to invest in their Scotch brands, hopefully helping to preserve these historic brands for many more years to come.
