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Bruichladdich will 'double output' after winning bid to build new warehousing on Islay

Published:  09 July, 2015

Remy Cointreau-owned Islay whisky distillery Bruichladdich could double production capacity after winning planning permission from Argyll & Bute Council to build six new maturation warehouses on the island.

The permission is central to its plans to increase output to an annual 1.5 million original litres of alcohol after the acquisition by Remy in 2012, as the company is committed to maturing all of its spirit for all of its life on the island.

Spokesman Carl Reavey said: "1.5 million litres is the volume of spirit that we could distill when working round the clock for five days a week.

"Obtaining the relevant permissions to enable this to be matured on Islay has been a long and exacting process and involved extensive consultation with a number of stakeholders and agencies.

"We are delighted to have secured a positive decision which will secure our long-term business plan.

"We have always made no bones about the fact we are utterly committed to maturing all of our spirit for all of its life on the island. The company has always said that if we can't mature our spirit here on Islay then we will stop distilling."

"It will be apparent that if we were unable to mature the spirit here we wouldn't be able to bottle here either in the long term.

"This decision has secured the Islay-based employment associated with the business for decades to come."

Reavey added that since 2012, investment at the distillery had included the rebuilding of an open-topped mash tun dating back to 1881, a major refurbishment of wash stills, and the rebuilding of the site's Academy Building.

"Some of these have resulted in production being reduced in the short-term, but the long-term commitment is plain for all to see," he said.

Distillery manager Allan Logan added: "We are very proud of our position as the largest private employer on Islay and conscious of the responsibilities we have to the local community.

"These projects all demonstrate that the future is very bright for everyone associated with this company."

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