The Glenlivet Distillery Expansion

Glenlivet expansion 4th of June 2010

Chivas Brothers revealed the new £10 million expansion for The Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside, supporting its long term ambition to become the World’s No 1 single malt and guaranteeing supply for future.

The distillery extension, which houses a new mash tun, eight traditional oregon pine washbacks and six expertly crafted copper stills, represents a 75% increase in production capacity allowing the brand to capitalise on buoyant international markets.

Overall design was by architects LDN of Forres whilst the principle contractor was A.D. Walker of Banff.

Subcontractors included Simmers of Keith who built the steel structure,

Specialist vat builders Joseph Brown of Dufftown who installed 8 new traditional wooden washbacks,

Coppersmiths Forsyths of Rothes who built 6 new stills exactly replicating the distillery’s famous tall, wide still shape.

The new building was designed to sit sympathetically alongside other Grade II* listed distillery buildings whilst also delivering a first class modern production facility that incorporates the latest heat recovery technology to aid efficiency.

The open plan design enhances the distillery’s visitor experience which already holds 5 stars from the Scottish Tourist Board.

The distillery’s 45,000 annual visitors will be able to see most of the production process in one building and also connect with the surrounding landscape via the expansive use of glass in the building. 

Christian Porta, Chivas Brothers Chairman and CEO, reiterated the importance of this investment to the future success of The Glenlivet:

“Today’s opening represents the latest milestone in a period of sustained investment and strong growth in The Glenlivet. Since 2002, we have taken the brand from No 3 to No 2 globally with investment in packaging, marketing and new product development.”

The stunning new extension not only gives us the production potential to meet the buoyant demands of global markets and, one day take the No 1 spot, it is also a sympathetic and aesthetically enduring legacy for generations to come to admire. 

“We are already leading from the front in the US,  the world’s most valuable Scotch whisky market and No1 single malt market,  and we are now well-positioned to replicate this success internationally.”

To celebrate the opening, The Glenlivet distillery created a special bottling, “The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve” Released in a limited quantity of 1824 bottles to reflect the year of the distillery’s foundation.

Selected from some of The Glenlivet’s most precious casks, the exceptional 21 year old non-chill filtered Scotch whisky will be available only from The Glenlivet Visitor Centre while stocks last.