North Wales could soon find itself home to its first whisky distillery in over 100 years.
Liverpool based drinks producer, Halewood International, plans to create a whisky and gin distillery in Abergwyngregyn. It’s hoping that the new Aber Falls Distillery, will start operating in 2018.
The distillery will function out of Abergwyngregyn’s 6,000 square metre Aber Depot. It will breathe much needed new life into the derelict building, which has fallen into disrepair.
The firm has said that converting the warehouse would involve a considerable investment. However, it believes the distillery will create many new jobs and be a big boost to local tourism. It hopes the distillery will put the region firmly on the spirits map, both nationally and internationally.
Halewood is already behind a number of well-known brands. From West Cork Malt Irish Whiskey, Crabbie’s Craft Alcoholic Ginger Beer to Red Square Vodka. It also has a stake in The Pogues Irish Whiskey.
The site will also be home to a gin distillery. There has been a steep rise in gin distilleries in the region. Three new gin distilleries have already opened in the last year in Gwynedd and Conwy.
Aber Falls will be North Wales’ first big whisky distillery since Frongoch near Bala, which closed in 1900.
Planning
Halewood has submitted a planning application for the distillery which will also include storage for casks and finished products. They won’t be making major external changes to the building, but will install two grain silos and a cooling unit.
Once the distillery has been established, the company hope to open a visitor centre offering tours to the public and also spirit distilling training courses.
Welsh Spirit
The new Aber Falls Distillery will join a number of other Welsh distilleries that have been producing spirits in South and West Wales for over 15 years.
Penderyn is a whisky distillery in the Brecon Beacons that produced the first commercial whisky made in Wales since the 19th century. The distillery offers tours to members of the public about the history and the distilling and bottling process at the distillery. Penderyn is now making plans to open its second site in Swansea.
Since 2012, Dà Mhìle has been producing gin and whisky at the Glynhynod Farm distillery in Ceredigion. They commissioned the world’s first organic whisky to be distilled and since then, they’ve expanded and now produce a range of organic liqueurs and spirits.