A HAPPY ENDING – HOW CONTAGIOUS HELPED GLENGOYNE COMPLETE THEIR STORY – Scotch Whisky News
A HAPPY ENDING HOW CONTAGIOUS HELPED GLENGOYNE COMPLETE THEIR STORY
In September 2014, Glengoyne Distillery in Killearn opened a new warehouse and exhibition space dedicated to maturation and the distillery’s exceptional wood policy. Previously the distillery had been frustrated by the small matter of the A81 which divides their main buildings, visitor centre and shop from their existing warehouse. As a result, visitors could only experience the first part of the brand’s story, missing out the all important ending – the successful marriage of carefully selected wood and meticulous maturation.
Following their work on the distillery’s visitor centre and shop in 2010, brand design agency Contagious were challenged with resolving the problem – reimagining two decommissioned buildings to create a brand new warehouse and wood story space in the heart of the distillery tour. The result is a captivating and highly informative space that delivers a comprehensive brand experience to the distillery’s 65,000 visitors a year.
The larger of the two buildings, originally a malting kiln, was transformed into a unique and dramatic triple-height warehouse for maturing whisky which features a brand new cask storage system designed to the client’s exact specifications. Contagious introduced a simple stone archway, hung with bespoke iron gates, to join the warehouse and exhibition spaces, the latter featuring a display of four sets of thirty backlit whisky bottles, each representing a year in the life of the maturing spirit. All four sets of bottles are framed using oak from the original sherry cask staves, some of which feature a unique crystalisation, built up over time. Emphasising the importance of intelligent wood selection on the maturation process, the agency also created a stunning feature wall using sections cut through American and European oak trees, hand-etched with key messages, to give visitors an at-a-glance understanding of important facts.
Glengoyne’s strapline is ‘Unhurried since 1883’ – an epithet that reflects their unequivocal approach to dedicating time to create the perfect whisky. It also runs through the distillery’s approach to every project they undertake and, at the heart of this new space, was an almost obsessive commitment to getting every detail right in order to create an intelligent space within the distillery environment that would be real, believable and capable of standing the test of time.
The strongest collaboration between design team, client and a wide range of talented craftspeople, manufacturers and suppliers has resulted in a multi-layered solution that uses an innovative mix of textures, finishes and details to maximise the visitor experience. And with the project now complete and open to the public, visitors can enjoy the full Glengoyne story while the distillery lays down casks in their new ‘No. 1’ warehouse, ready for drinking in years to come.
But only when the time is right of course…
Additional information:
Contagious is a creative brand agency working with clients around the world who have amazing brands. Our team of hugely talented, extraordinarily diverse, multi-disciplinary people specialise in brand communication, digital, environments and experiential design.
The slowest distillation process in Scotland. Six years spent preparing the perfect oak casks before they receive their first drop of spirit. Barley dried by air, never peat. Glengoyne give you pause to reflect that it’s only by investing valuable time and infinite care that you can create something of real worth. Glengoyne – it’s worth the wait.
