GlenDronach malt whisky is set to benefit from a major £7m investment this autumn.
 
It’s part of the strategy by the owners of the Aberdeenshire distillery to restore the malt to its former glory and accelerate its growth in new markets worldwide.
 
Forty years ago, GlenDronach was amongst the top five most popular malts in the world. Now a £5m investment in sherry casks over the next four years and a further £2m on brand promotion and extra staff will boost the sleeping giant, says MD Billy Walker.
 
“In recent years, GlenDronach has fallen out of view but it has maintained a kind of cult status. This new investment returns it to centre-stage.
 
“It’s testament to our ambitions as a small, niche distiller. We are making sure the whisky coming through is of the highest quality and the new sherry casks will be at the heart of maturation, imbuing the whisky with its distinctively sweet, fragrant and fruity taste.”
 
When Mr Walker and his associates bought GlenDronach last year, there were less than 20,000 bottles sold worldwide. This year, having added a number of new expressions like the 15 and 18 year-old, GlenDronach will sell around 150,000 bottles. By 2014, the aim is to sell some 250,000 bottles.
 
The company currently employs thirty people and is now looking for a further five.
 
Mr Walker added: “We’re pursuing our dream – to sell fine malt whisky all over the world and put GlenDronach back where it belongs.”
 
Pic shows GlenDronach’s Regional Sales Director Alistair Walker.
 
ends                                       11 September 2009
 
INFORMATION – Alistair Walker, 01324 682220 http://www.glendronachdistillery.com/