Diageo’s Glen Ord Scotch distillery to double in size

Diageo has revealed plans to expand its Glen Ord distillery, as part of a long-term strategy to increase capacity at half its 28 malt whisky distilleries in Scotland.

Diageo’s Glen Ord distillery is to double in size

The drinks group has submitted a planning application to Highland Council to install 10 new washbacks, six copper stills and a mash tun at the plant, which produces spirit for a number of Diageo’s blended Scotch whiskies, as well as for The Singleton of Glen Ord.

The new additions would double capacity at the plant, which already has 10 washbacks – some of which were only installed last year as part of a £3m investment – and six stills, by around 5 million litres of spirit per year.

The new equipment will be housed in existing buildings at the distillery.

The plans form part of Diageo’s strategy to invest £1bn in increasing its Scotch whisky production capacity, which also includes the build of a brand new distillery.

Brian Higgs, director of malt distilling at Diageo, said: “Over the next few months we will be bringing forward a number of planning applications to increase capacity at our existing distilleries and the Glen Ord expansion is an important part of that programme.”

Last month Diageo submitted Proposal of Application Notices (PANs) for three potential sites in Teaninich, Glendullan and Inchgower to build a new distillery, although no final decision has been made on a location as yet.