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
Dalmunach Distillery is built on the site of a demolished 1897 distillery located in the Speyside area of northeastern Scotland, well-known for single malt whiskies. NORR’s design was inspired by the two main ingredients of scotch – barley and water. The building is split into three major parallel components that resemble three heads of barley, offset by an adjacent small lake representing water. Eight onion-and-tulip-shaped copper wash stills are uniquely configured in a circle around the spirit safe, optimizing the view from the control desk and creating the visually stunning glass still house. While some reclaimed bricks and wood from the previous distillery were used in homage to the past, the clean modern design definitely looks to the future.
Dalmunach Distillery incorporates both old and new technology. It uses the same spring water supply used by the old Imperial Distillery, while employing the latest heat recovery technology making it the most energy efficient Distillery in the Chivas Group and one of the most energy efficient in the world. The Distillery is capable of producing up to 2.6 million gallons (ten million litres) of spirits per year.
