Dallas Dhu Distillery Rises from Artifact to Whisky Production
The last of two distilleries closed in 1983, is set to restart production. The Dallas Dhu distillery in Scotland’s Speyside region will begin operation after 40 years of existence as a museum. This year Diageo reopened the Port Ellen distillery closed the same year.
Built in 1899, the distillery produced whisky for the Roderick Dhu blended scotch brand until 1983, when it closed. Currently, the site houses a museum run by Historic Environment Scotland.
In the years that followed, the distillery was closed more than four times due to fires, war, the Great Depression, and other hardships before production ended in 1983.
Since the late 1980s, Historic Environment Scotland has managed the site and is now in the process of selling it. According to sources, it will be acquired by Aceo Distillers, a cask whisky broker and distillery services provider.
Acero Distillery to Restart Whisky Production at Dallas Dhu
As part of a 25-year development plan, the company will oversee a “phased program” at Dallas Dhu. The small valley which lies about 30 miles east of Inverness known for its black water. The distillery was named from the Galic phrase for black water ‘dallas dhu,”
“The aim is to breathe life back into the distillery by first getting the original equipment working and traditional whisky distilling going once again,” said Aceo’s MD, Edward Odim.
“This revived, long-lost spirit will be matured in Dallas Dhu’s well-preserved Victorian dunnage warehouses.
“The plan is for a state-of-the-art visitor center with exhibition and museum space and a café/restaurant … . As well as show how whisky is made, we intend to tell the social and economic story – past and present – of whisky production in Speyside.”
However, no details have yet been disclosed on the size of the investment nor the nature of the ownership. Some speculations, however, hint at over $15 million. The ambitious project looks to continue a Speyside legacy.