May 11 2021  |  Spirits & Tobacco

Penderyn's new £5 million distillery to open

By Hibah Noor

On May 17, Penderyn will officially open a new distillery in North Wales. The Penderyn Distillery — The Welsh Whisky Company — which received a royal warrant from Queen Victoria in July 1895, closed mainly due to Prohibition over 100 years ago. And now, after 20 years’ work, will now be opening its second distillery, this one located in the North Wales tourist mecca, the town of Llandudno.

Dafydd Pesic-Smith, Site Manager, LLoyd Street Llandudno Distillery and Bethan Morgans Commissioning Distiller

The new distillery will operate in the Old Board School, built in 1887, which has more recently been the Conwy Council archive.

A new Faraday still has been installed and now readied for production by Penderyn’s Commissioning Distiller Bethan Morgans.

Welsh whisky

For the first time in Welsh history, this distillery will focus on peated barley single malt whisky. Although the whisky is peated, it will be light and fruity as with Penderyn’s other whiskies.

The new Faraday still, unique to Penderyn, has been installed and readied by Bethan Morgans

Penderyn’s Director of Operations Neil Quigley says: "Since its inception three years ago, this has been a hugely exciting and challenging project. I'm pleased to have kept this remarkable renovation on time and on track."

Last year Penderyn whisky had its biggest ever gold medal haul at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and it now ships to more than 45 countries, putting the region solidly on the map of world whiskies.

Joining north and south

According to Penderyn Distillery’s CEO, Stephen Davies, “Penderyn has always had a loyal following in North Wales, but with the South separated from the North by mountains and lakes, Penderyn has finally brought the country together. By opening in Llandudno, visited by 9.6 million tourists every year, we’re saying ‘Welcome home to Wales and to Penderyn’.

Penderyn’s second distillery is located in the North Wales town of Llandudno, in the Old Board School, built in 1887

“Penderyn's distilleries have brought together North and South Wales, from our Brecon Beacons Headquarters to this new Llandudno Lloyd St distillery. We look forward to taking Penderyn to even newer heights when Penderyn opens a third distillery in the Swansea Hafod Copperworks development. The finest spirit rises to the top, and at Penderyn we are always continuing to innovate and develop our business.”

According to Owner and Director of Penderyn Distillery, Nigel Short: "‘From the very start of our journey at Penderyn over 20 years ago we have received great support from the people and businesses of North Wales. It is with huge pleasure that we are opening our new distillery and visitor centre in the heart of Llandudno. Our special thanks go to all at Conwy Council who were so welcoming and instrumental in helping to deliver a very special building restoration and attraction, one we hope will make everyone proud."

The new distillery in Llandudno will be managed by local resident Dafydd Pesic-Smith, and tours will begin in June, under social-distancing rules.

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