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29th April, 2021 by Owen Bellwood
Speyside distillery Benriach will open its first visitor centre next month following a six-figure investment.
Opening on 21 May, the new distillery visitor centre features a bar, tasting lounge, and retail space. Initially, guests will be able to participate in two flavour-focused tastings following the easing of Scotland’s Covid-19 restrictions.
The Sense of Flavour tasting will delve into the production process at Benriach and features a chance to sample its 10- and 12-year-old whiskies.
The Barrels, Butts, and Barriques experience will offer visitors the chance to taste five individual cask types, culminating in a tasting of the Benriach 21 Year Old.
The opening of the visitor centre follows the recent unveiling of Benriach’s new portfolio in 2020, which comprises a new core range of single malts and a refreshed design.
Jennifer Proctor, visitor centre manager at Benriach Distillery, said: “The last year has been significant in Benriach’s journey with the launch of the distillery’s new flavour-forward portfolio, so the unveiling of our first ever visitor centre is a special moment.
“From cask tastings to cocktails, we’ll initially be offering two flight-style tasting experiences that allow customers to explore Benriach’s flavour spectrum.
“When restrictions allow, we will reveal our full distillery tour offering and announce the next phase of the distillery visitor centre development.”
The new visitor centre has been built using natural materials from local suppliers wherever possible, and features a colour palette inspired by its Speyside surroundings.
Outside the centre, one of the distillery’s warehouses has also been whitewashed and branded to ‘cement Benriach’s new identity’. A time-lapse video of the work is available to view below.