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News
Penderyn to open £5m distillery in North Wales
Welsh whisky producer Penderyn will open a new £5 million (US$7 million) distillery in Llandudno, North Wales, on 17 May.
The new facility is housed in the former Old Board School, built in 1882; the building has also been home to the Conwy Council archives.
Penderyn gained planning approval for the site in May 2020, and received a £1.4m (US$2m) grant from the Welsh government to help fund the work, allowing for renovations including a modern extension added to the back of the building.
“Since its inception three years ago, this has been a hugely exciting and challenging project,” commented Neil Quigley, Penderyn’s director of operations. “I’m pleased to have kept this remarkable renovation on time and on track.”
New still, new opportunities
The Llandudno distillery has been equipped with a new Faraday still, which will be used to make Penderyn’s first peated barley single malt whisky – though the expression will still maintain the producer’s ‘light, fruity’ style.
In addition to new products, the opening will bring the potential for tourism. The distillery expects to welcome 60,000 visitors a year once social distancing measures are lifted, and will host tours from 1 June.
The new operation has also created 17 jobs in the area, including the role of distillery manager, which will be filled by Dafydd Pesic-Smith.
The Llandudno facility is the second distillery for Penderyn, joining its original site in Aberdare. A third distillery in Swansea is expected to open in 2022/23.