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Beam Suntory plans £150m whisky site
Bowmore owner Beam Suntory has submitted a planning application to build a £150 million (US$191m) Scotch whisky maturation facility in East Ayrshire.
Beam Suntory, which also owns the Laphroaig and Auchentoshan Scotch brands, plans to create a ‘state-of-the-art’ maturation facility in the South Drumboy area of Scotland.
The firm said the development would bring whisky back to the region for the first time in a decade.
The maturation warehouses and supporting facilities would provide around 70,000 square metres for whisky storage and associated buildings. This is equal to approximately half a million barrels of whisky, which would boost domestic economy and Scottish exports, Beam Suntory said.
Craig Martin, general manager of manufacturing operations – UK and Ireland, Beam Suntory, said: “Submitting our planning application to East Ayrshire Council represents an important milestone in our vision to enhance the East Ayrshire economy with a sustainable and modern maturation facility.
“We have spent significant time over the last three months engaging with the local community, using their feedback to refine proposals and arrive at a well-considered masterplan that importantly will bring whisky back to the region for the first time in 10 years.
“We are hopeful that East Ayrshire Council share our vision and we can proceed with bringing proposals to life.”
Beam Suntory, which employs around 400 people in Scotland, said the proposed project would create approximately 45 jobs.
Energy Conscious Design Architects has been hired to look after the design of the development.
Earlier this month, Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory revealed plans to create a AU$3 billion (US$1.96bn) spirits and no-alcohol venture in Australia and New Zealand.
The Jim Beam owner is also planning a US$400m distillery expansion in Kentucky to meet future Bourbon demand.
In September 2021, the company opened the Fred B Noe Distillery as part of its US$60m investment to bring back the James B Beam Distilling Co in Clermont, Kentucky, in the US.
Beam Suntory reopened Highland Scotch whisky distillery Glen Garioch in March 2022 after a £6m (US$7.9m) renovation of the facility.