Firing up two new whisky distilleries
WITH global demand for Scotland’s national drink showing no signs of slowing down, the capacity to make the amber spirit is also on the rise with existing distilleries increasing capacity and new sites opening across the country.
Among the latest to join the list are The Borders Distillery in Hawick, which has brought whisky making back to the borders for the first time since a distillery in Kelso closed in 1837, and the John Crabbie & Co facility that will bring malt whisky distilling back to Edinburgh for the first time in 100 years.
The Borders site is operated by The Three Stills Company, founded by four partners – Tim Carton, John Fordyce, Tony Roberts and George Tait – in 2013.
And it produced its first spirit in March this year.
Having all previously worked for spirits giant William Grant & Sons and having spent much of their professional lives in the drinks sector, the partners said they knew there was an opportunity to be had in building a new distillery and the opportunity lay in the Scottish Borders.
There were some very convincing arguments for us to look to the Scottish Borders for our distillery.
Chief exec Tim Carton said: “There were some very convincing arguments for us to look to the Scottish Borders for our distillery, The skilled labour market and textile manufacturing history, particularly in tweed and cashmere, were two big influencing factors, as was ready availability of natural resources and raw materials.”
Up to 19 jobs will be created locally by the distillery which includes a visitor centre as well as an entertaining and meeting space.
In Edinburgh, Halewood Wines & Spirits has unveiled its plans for the Crabbie distillery.
At a cost in excess of £7m, the new distillery will be created in Leith, the original home of the Crabbie brand.
Scheduled to go into production in early 2019, Halewood says this will be the first single malt distillery to open in the capital for more than 100 years.
Managing director David Brown said: “We are delighted to announce our plans to invest in the creation of a new distillery in Leith.
“It’s particularly pleasing that it will bear the name of John Crabbie, surely one of Edinburgh’s most legendary sons.
“The site we have chosen in Leith has historical links with Scotch whisky production and maturation dating back over 200 years and we hope it will contribute to the rising prosperity of the area with the creation of new jobs.
“With the growing popularity of Scotch whisky around the world the time is right to rediscover the Crabbie whisky brand and put Edinburgh firmly back on the Scotch whisky map.”
