Scotland's whisky sector in rude health

Published on Sunday 2 November 2008 20:11

SCOTLAND'S whisky industry is well-placed to weather the recession, according to a leading figure in the sector.

Billy Walker, managing director of the BenRiach Distillery, which was last week crowned whisky distiller of the year, said expansion into Far Eastern markets gave the industry resilience to the global credit crunch.

He told The Scotsman: "The industry is really healthy now. From long experience, I can say this is one of the good periods for the industry." He added: "The UK and United States may be in recession, but parts of Europe and the Far East are on a different economic track."

Walker also revealed plans to bring 15- and 18-year-old whiskies to the market in time for Christmas from the Glendronach Distillery, near Huntly, which Ben-Riach bought from Chivas Brothers in August.

Glendronach, which already offers 12- and 30-year-old expressions, will also be returning to its roots as a "sherried" whisky, Walker said.

BenRiach beat off competition from brands including Glenmorangie, Highland Park and Benromach to take the "whisky distiller of the year" title at Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky Scotland Awards.

The prize came a year after BenRiach was named "distillery of the year" by Malt Advocate Magazine's Whisky Awards, which are open to whisky makers throughout the world.