A Moray distillery is planning to expand its warehouses in order to keep up with international demand.
Sales of Benromach have surged by 27% in the last year with overseas success described as “particularly strong”.
Now owners Gordon and MacPhail are preparing to unveil the next phase of development at the historic site, which can trace its roots in Forres back to 1898.
Plans for new warehouses, which will be to the west of the existing distillery on the outskirts of the town, are due to go on display next week.
Yesterday the firm described the proposals as part of a long term vision which would come to fruition over several years.
Ewen Mackintosh, Gordon and MacPhail’s managing director, said: “We have been expanding our production capacity at the distillery in recent years and have increased the number of staff to allow us to produce more whisky.
“This means over time we will need more warehousing space to set down the spirit which will eventually become single scotch malt whisky.”
The distillery produced whisky from the late 19th Century until the 1980s when the stills went cold under the ownership of Scottish Malt Distillers.
The historic facility was bought by the Urquhart family in 1993 before it was officially reopened again by the Duke of Rothesay in 1998 following an extensive period of renovation.
Thousands of visitors now pass through the gates every year to sample the malt at its visitor centre.
Outline plans for the warehouses will be displayed at the attraction next week. Final proposals will be drawn up when the extra space is required.
Mr Mackintosh added: “We have been part of the community for the last 25 years since we brought the distillery back to life. We want to continue to invest and grown as more people get to know Benromach.”
Staff behind the project will be at the visitor centre on Wednesday, January 17 from 2pm to 7pm to answer questions about the plans. They can also be viewed at LDN Architects at 29 St Leonards Road in Forres by prior arrangement by calling 01309 673221.
