Gin distillery to branch out into making whisky
Plans have been unveiled to create what has been described as the “first legallydistilled” whisky in a picturesque part of Perthshire.
Family-owned Glenshee Craft Distillers is behind the move and is based at Persie Distillery, named after the former Persie Hotel north of Bridge of Cally and already known for its range of gins.
A warehouse for production of Scotland’s national drink has already been built at the site of what was once a coaching inn and is currently being configured for cask maturation.
Production is set to begin by the end of the year, ready for bottling in 2024.
Managing director and distiller Simon Fairclough said: “Despite the uncertain times we are living in, we are determined to ready ourselves for a brighter future, focusing on our team’s expertise and the long-term opportunities for diversification and expansion. Whisky is squarely in our sights.
“We are proud to be on our way to hand-crafting the first legally-distilled whisky in Glenshee.
“As with our gins, we’re utterly committed to being true to our new spirit, while always looking for innovative solutions to enhance taste and aroma.
“That means using our own water, as well as mashing, fermenting, distilling and maturing in the distillery, yet celebrating the opportunity to work with different grains and malted barleys.”
The team plans to recruit lovers of the amber nectar from across the UK to participate in virtual focus to help refine the distillery’s approach.
Simon continued: “We developed our gin profiles on the back of nearly 4000 consumer tastings, so we could be confident about meeting the vast majority of gin drinkers’ flavour preferences.
“We’re keen to adopt the same sort of approach for development of our Scotch whisky, albeit over a somewhat longer time-scale.”
He concluded: “So far, 2020 has tested even the most optimistic among us, as coronavirus spreads across the globe.
“But we believe that introducing Scotch whisky alongside our gins is the best way of protecting our business for the long haul – and that’s what will get us through.”