Dalmunach

Named after a nearby pool in the River Spey, Dalmunach is one of Scotland's newest and most contemporary distilleries. Constructed by Pernod Ricard (Chivas Brothers) in 2014, this environmentally conscious facility occupies the former site of the Imperial Distillery, which was demolished in 2013. Imperial primarily produced single malt whisky used in various blends, including Teacher's, Ballantine's, and Old Smuggler. Over its century-long existence, Imperial changed ownership and faced periods of inactivity until Pernod Ricard acquired it following its takeover of Allied Domecq in 2005. By then, the distillery had ceased operations entirely.

In 2013, amidst a boom in Scotch whisky demand, Chivas Brothers, the whisky and gin division of Pernod Ricard, decided to address the need for a distillery capable of supplying single malt whisky for its renowned blends, including Chivas Regal, Ballantine's, and Royal Salute. Instead of reviving the dormant Imperial, Chivas chose to demolish the site and construct a new, state-of-the-art distillery in its place. The construction of Dalmunach was overseen by Douglas Cruickshank, the former production director of Chivas Brothers, who coincidentally started his whisky career at the Imperial Distillery when he was just 15 years old.

To pay homage to its predecessor, Dalmunach incorporated several design elements from the Imperial Distillery. Recycled Aberdeen red bricks from the original mill building adorn the new distillery's entrance, and wood from Imperial's washbacks has been used to clad the tun room's walls. The overall architectural design also complements the local landscape and traditional style.Incorporating cutting-edge technology, Dalmunach features heat recovery systems, 16 stainless steel washbacks, and an unconventional arrangement of eight stills in a circular configuration, providing a unique visual aesthetic.