It was announced on 21 May 2010 that Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (or The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, as they are known in Scotland) will open a new expansion to The Glenlivet Distillery on Friday 4 June during a visit to Speyside, Scotland.
Completed earlier this year, the new facility will deliver a 75% increase in production capacity to satisfy future global demand in the buoyant market for single malt Scotch whisky.
During the visit, Patrick Ricard Chairman of brand owner Pernod Ricard, and Christian Porta, Chairman and CEO, of Chivas Brothers, will invite Their Royal Highnesses to tour the distillery’s facilities, meet key members of staff and unveil a commemorative sculpture.
Local benefits
The investment has already brought real benefits to the local business community, with a team of local contractors involved in the expansion. Overall design was by architects LDN of Forres, while the principle contractor was A.D. Walker of Banff. Sub-contractors included Simmers of Keith, which built the steel structure, specialist vat builder Joseph Brown of Dufftown, which installed 8 new traditional wooden washbacks, and coppersmith Forsyths of Rothes, which built 6 new stills exactly replicating the distillery’s famous tall, wide still shape.
The construction of the new building was also the first major duty of newly appointed Master Distiller Alan Winchester, a lifelong resident of Speyside who has been a leading light in the industry for 34 years.
Alan commented: “The opening will be a momentous occasion in the long and proud history of The Glenlivet Distillery. It was a privilege to be involved with the new building and we are honoured to have such distinguished company to mark the occasion.”
