Benromach

Benromach's history has been tumultuous, full of ups and downs, but it now appears to have found its footing. Benromach Distillery Company was established in 1898 by Duncan MacCallum (from Glen Nevis Distillery, Campbeltown) and F.W. Brickmann (a spirit dealer from Leith), with the support of Alexander Edward, who leased them land north of his Sanquhar Estate in Forres for the distillery site (see 'Aultmore'). As the distillery neared completion, Pattison's of Leith, one of its largest buyers, stopped payment. Brickmann's company was closely tied to Pattison's and had to cease trading; the failure left the founders over £70,000 in debt—equivalent to £7.7 million today. This setback delayed Benromach's production until 1909. In 1911, the distillery was sold to a London company. It closed between 1914 and 1919, then was acquired by John Joseph Calder, a brewer from Alloa, who immediately sold it to Benromach Distillery Ltd (a company formed by Macdonald, Greenlees & Williams of Leith, and six English brewers). The distillery operated briefly in the mid-1920s but had been 'silent for many years' by 1937. That year, it was purchased by Associated Scottish Distillers, founded by the legendary Joseph Hobbs (see 'Ben Nevis', 'Glenesk'). The following year, it was sold to National Distillers of America. In 1953, Benromach was sold to D.C.L. and subsequently operated by S.M.D. Benromach was refurbished in 1966, with stills converted to indirect heating. Floor malting ceased in 1968. In 1983, the distillery was mothballed and equipment was dismantled. A decade later, it was sold to Gordon & MacPhail (see 'Industry-leading Independent Bottler'), who carefully refurbished it. All equipment was replaced except the spirit safe. On October 14, 1998, the new distillery was inaugurated by Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, with the visitor centre opening the following year.

Benromach was once much larger than it is today. Before Gordon & MacPhail acquired it, almost nothing remained except for a single spirit safe. During the five years between purchasing the distillery and restarting production, the new owners conducted numerous experimental distillations to determine their desired style. After they began production, former owner Diageo gave Gordon a box of new spirit samples from before 1993. The character of the spirit was almost identical, yet the distillery had been completely transformed—the only unchanged elements were the location and water source. In 1925, the distillery featured a wooden mash tun, a rare (and perhaps unique) sight. After S.M.D. took over the distillery, someone remarked that Benromach's appearance was particularly exquisite, with the garden gaining extra charm under the adventurous spirit of Joseph Hobbs. Today, the distillery's landmark is the red brick chimney from that era, contrasting beautifully with the distillery's whitewashed walls. Since acquiring the distillery, Gordon & MacPhail has released a vast array of products with different ages and various cask finishes.