The opening marks a return to distilling for the Macpherson-Grant family following the involvement in a number of distilleries of Sir George Macpherson-Grant beginning in the 19th Century. Funded in part by an FPMC grant, work started in May 2013 and the family made use of local contractors and craftsmen wherever possible.
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| Casks at the new Ballindalloch Distillery being given the royal seal of approval |
Making use of a farm steading dating from the 1820’s, Scotland’s first Single Estate Distillery began production in September 2014 and represents a traditional approach to distilling seldom seen today.
The Estate farm provides the barley and the water flows freely from the Garline Springs behind the distillery. In stark contrast to modern automated whisky making, the distillery is a fully manual process and employs five staff.
Commenting on the distillery opening, The Prince of Wales, also known as The Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, said: “Speyside has such a great tradition of distilleries and I was very much hoping to taste a tiny bit of Ballindalloch, but I’ll have to wait another 10 years for it, by which time I will be 76 and probably on a zimmer frame.”
He went on to say: “The building is a great tribute to the skilled craftsmen in the area.”
Unlike many new distilleries who produce vodka and gin or release young whisky, the family have committed to waiting between 8 and 10 years before their mature whisky is bottled.
Source: Ballindalloch Distillery