Perthshire distillery’s investments pay off

Focus on ‘continued improvement’ of whisky operation

Perthshire whisky distillery Tullibardine raised a glass to a 26% increase in sales last year.

Newly filed company accounts show the Blackford-based company grew its sales by more than £5 million to £23.9m last year.

Pre-tax profits for the firm, which can trace its roots to the 15th Century, rose from £2.5m to £3.1m for the year ending December 31 2017.

In 2011 leading French wine and spirits group Picard Vins & Spiritueux bought the business from a group of private investors who brought the distillery back into production in 2003, after it had been mothballed under its previous owners for 10 years.

Director Gabriel Jacques Picard said “continued investment” in the distillery, which employs 30 staff, had paid dividends.

He said: “The directors are more than satisfied with the increased operating profit of £3.4m. All areas of the business have shown improvement and with shareholders funds of £15.4m, the company is very well placed moving forward.

“The company’s continued investment on the premises and in plant and machinery means that, with the exception of malting, the company now has full control over all aspects of its business activities.

“The company continues to seek new opportunities and markets to develop further the success of the company’s brand.”

He said Brexit brought “great uncertainty” but the company had no intention of changing its plans in the immediate future.

Picture: Steve MacDougall. The Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford produces a range of single malts.