Chivas Brothers commissioned Dalmunach Distillery to create a modern distillery that reflects the traditions of Scotch whisky production on the site of a demolished distillery in Speyside, Scotland, well-known for single malt whiskies.
Challenge
The challenge was to create a highly efficient large-scale production facility that respected the legacy of the former Imperial Distillery while embracing contemporary whisky-making technologies. The design needed to express the brand’s identity through an architectural response rooted in the essential ingredients of Scotch whisky.
Solution
Inspired by the primary ingredients of whisky, the distillery is organized into three building forms resembling heads of barley, offset by an adjacent lochan representing water. The glazed still house contains eight copper stills arranged in a circle around the spirit safe, optimizing operational visibility and creating a focal point. Reclaimed materials and references to the former Imperial Distillery preserve the site’s history.
Outcome
Dalmunach Distillery combines traditional whisky-making practices with advanced heat recovery systems, making it one of the most energy-efficient distilleries in the Chivas Brothers portfolio and in the world. The facility can produce up to 10 million litres of spirit annually while setting a new benchmark for sustainable distillery design.
The distillery continues to draw water from the same spring source used by the former Imperial Distillery, linking the new facility to its historic predecessor
Eight onion- and tulip-shaped copper stills are arranged in a circle around the spirit safe, optimizing operational visibility and creating the distillery’s dramatic glazed still house.
Photo Credit: Paul Zanre Photography
