A WHISKY OF DISTINCTION SAVED FROM EXTINCTION

1898

Benromach Distillery established

Duncan MacCallum, of Glen Nevis Distillery, Campbeltown, and FW Brickmann, spirit broker, of Leith, founded the Benromach Distillery Company in 1898. Alexander Edward, a leading promoter of distillery enterprises of Sanquhar, Forres, granted them a feu charter for a plot of his land north of the railway junction at Forres.

Owner : Benromach Distillery Company

1899

Difficulties for the Benromach owners

Brickmann's firm was suspended in October 1899 with liabilities exceeding £70,000, and MacCallum experienced great difficulties in finding buyers for his product.

The distillery was due to start production in spring 1899, but was inactive until May 1900 when it was reported to be conducting trials.

Benromach Facts

Owner : Benromach Distillery Company

1918

1900 - 1909

Benromach silent

The brand new state-of-the-art distillery remained silent until 1909

Benromach Facts

Owner : Benromach Distillery Company

1911

New owners for Benromach

Benromach is acquired by Harvey McNair & Co of London in 1911, who announced they intended to recommence distilling in the spring of 1912. The distillery remained in production up to the beginning of the First World War in 1914.

Benromach Facts

Owner : Harvey McNair & Co

1918

1914 - 1918

Benromach silent

Benromach again fell silent for a 2nd time in its short existence.

Benromach Facts

Owner : Harvey McNair & Co

1919

Benromach changes hands

After the war, Benromach was bought by John Joseph Calder, who promptly sold it to the Benromach Distillery Ltd, a private company registered in late 1919 in Edinburgh. Several breweries held shares in the new company.

Benromach Facts

Owner : Benromach Distillery Ltd

1918

1925 -1937

Benromach silent

Benromach was working in 1925 but at some point it fell silent until it was bought again in 1937.

Benromach Facts

Owner : BENROMACH DISTILLERY LTD

1919

1938

Benromach changes hands

The distillery was transferred in 1938 to Associated Scottish Distilleries Ltd (ASD). ASD was bought by National Distillers, an American corporation.

Benromach Facts

Owner : Associated Scottish Distilleries Ltd

1953

Benromach changes hands

National Distillers sells Benromach to The Distillers Company Limited of Edinburgh. Benromach was then transferred to Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd (SMD). SMD at that time noted that Benromach had excellent gardens, which have been kept in good order.

Benromach Facts

Manager : Tom Mckerren
Owner : Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd

1966-1974

1966 - 1974

Investment at Benromach

Benromach's still house was rebuilt and an oil-fired boiler was installed. Two years later the maltings was converted to a cask store, and in 1974 the mash house was rebuilt and the tunroom was modernised.

Benromach Facts

Manager : Donald Macdonald
Owner : Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd

1983

Benromach officially closes

March 24th 1983 saw the last filling under the ownership of United Distillers. The workers on that day who witnessed that last filling signed their names on the filling store wall.

Last Cask Filled : 1983/535

Benromach Facts

Manager : Donald Macdonald
Owner : Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd

1993

Benromach Distillery purchased by Gordon & MacPhail

After many years of planning, the refurbishment of Benromach Distillery began with a major over-haul to re-equip the distillery with specially designed and commissioned new stills, a mash tun, remoulded wash backs.

Benromach Facts

Manager : N/A
Owner : Gordon & MacPhail

1998v2

1998

Production recommences at Benromach

The two new stills were finally installed along with all the production equipment. Production restarted at Benromach nearly 100 years after the first distillation.

On October 15th, HRH Prince of Wales officially reopened the distillery at a grand opening ceremony, which attracted visitors and guests from all over the world.

Manager : Bob Murray
Owner : Gordon & MacPhail

1999v2

1999

Benromach Visitor Centre and Malt Whisky Centre opens

On August 2nd, the Malt Whisky Centre opened at Benromach, providing visitors around the world with an opportunity to explore the distillery and discover the secret of Benromach.

Benromach Facts

Manager : Bob Murray
Owner : Gordon & MacPhail

2000v2

2000

Four Stars awarded to Benromach

The Malt Whisky Centre was awarded a four-star visitor attraction grading from the Scottish Tourist Board.

Malt Whisky Trail

Benromach joined the world famous Malt Whisky Trail.

Benromach Facts

Manager : Bob Murray
Owner : Gordon & MacPhail

2004v3

2004

Benromach Traditional launched

Benromach Traditional, the first product distilled at Benromach Distillery under Gordon & MacPhail's ownership, is launched.

Benromach Traditional is rich and mellow with fruit and malty tones, balanced with a hint of smoke.

Find out more about Benromach Traditional

Benromach Facts

Manager : Keith Cruickshank
Owner : Gordon & MacPhail

2006v2

2006

Benromach Organic launched

Created to the rigorous standards set up by The Soil Association, Benromach Organic has been made using the finest Scottish organic barley. Matured in casks made from virgin American oak this fresh, vibrant single malt whisky is smooth and creamy.

Find out more about Benromach Organic

Benromach Facts

Manager : Keith Cruickshank
Owner : Gordon & MacPhail

2007

New cask warehouse constructed

Warehouse No. 4 is constructed at Benromach Distillery in the traditional dunnage style using modern materials.

Benromach Facts

Manager : Keith Cruickshank
Owner : Gordon & MacPhail

2009v3

2009

Benromach 10 Years Old Launched

The first aged product to be produced since the distillery was reopened in 1998.

Malt Whisky Centre Refurbished

10 years after the Malt Whisky Centre was opened it has been refurbished to give it a modern contemporary look.

Benromach Facts

Manager : Keith Cruickshank
Owner : Gordon & MacPhail

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