Muir's multimillion-pound boost toasted by Scottish Secretary
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A £3.2million expansion at a Ross-shire distillery has been toasted in person by the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Michael Moore MP was in Muir of Ord on Tuesday to raise a glass of Singleton of Glen Ord single malt Scotch whisky to celebrate the completion of a major expansion at the distillery.
During a visit to the distillery, Mr Moore welcomed the £3.2million investment which has seen its capacity increased by around a million litres per annum (mla), to 5.2mla, to help meet the growing export demand for whisky in Asia particularly.
The Singleton of Glen Ord malt whisky brand is the fastest growing single malt in the Asia-Pacific market region, according to the most recent data from IWSR (International Wine and Spirits Research).
Its volume sales grew by 40 per cent in 2010, breaking through the 100,000 case barrier. The distillery also contributes to Diageo’s world leading blended Scotch whisky brands, such as Johnnie Walker – the world’s number one Scotch whisky.
Mr Moore said: "Whisky exports are good news for Scotland and I congratulate Diageo on its success. The expansion of the Glen Ord distillery shows the confidence behind one of Scotland’s flagship industries.
"It will help further secure whisky’s important place in the Scottish economy and its global brand, as well as securing and creating jobs."
Brian Higgs, Diageo’s director of malt distilling, who took Mr Moore on a tour of the distillery, said: ""The investment we have been able to put into Glen Ord distillery clearly demonstrates the direct benefit to the Scottish economy, particularly in more remote and rural areas, which the global growth of Scotch whisky can bring."
