Tamdhu Scotch whisky distillery gets brand new lease of life

Scotland's Tamdhu whisky distillery, which was mothballed in 2010 by its then owner the Edrington Group, is to be relaunched in 2013.

New owner Ian Macleod Distillers will manufacture a premium malt brand aimed at affluent, aspirational connoisseurs around the world.

Ian Macleod Distillers has employed Glasgow-based design agency Good to devise a modern brand identity for the malt.

Good plans to use Tamdhu's history and traditions to create a distinctive identity that appeals to a contemporary global consumer.

The Tamdhu distillery, designed by the renowned distillery engineer and architect of the time Charles Doig, dates from 1897. Its production capacity was trebled between 1972 and 1975 and it has three wash stills and three spirit stills, capable of producing 4Ml of alcohol a year.

"Tamdhu was one of the first Speyside distilleries," said Chris Lumsden, co-director of Good. "It was founded by a consortium of leading local business entrepreneurs who put a lot of money into building what, at the time, was a cutting-edge facility.

"It was a highly ambitious venture to produce the finest whisky they possibly could using every modern technique available to them. It's that entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that we want to reflect in the new brand image."

The Good team was chosen after it developed refreshed positioning and packaging for Glengoyne, Ian Macleod's other premium malt distillery. The repackage will be launched later this year.