196-year-old distillery facing demolition as Diageo plans to redevelop site

The drinks giant said that it wants to redevelop the site in order to “expand the existing output”​ of single malt Scotch whisky.

Should Diageo receive planning permission, this process will involve the construction of a new distillery that incorporates “sustainable technologies” ​and includes support facilities.

The Talisker distillery was opened in 1830 and is located on the Isle of Skye in the North West of Scotland.

It is the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye and was acquired by The Distillers Company in 1925, before eventually coming under the ownership of Diageo.

The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) filed with the Highland Council said that Diageo hoped to redevelop "all associated infrastructure, including new access, drainage, outfall, road improvement and landscaping works"​ on top of the "demolition of existing production facilities post-commission of the new facility".​

In addition to Talisker, Diageo owns drinks brands such as Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Smirnoff and Captain Morgan.

Diageo ‘continually reviews its production footprint’

In response to a request for comment, a Diageo spokesperson told Food Manufacture: “As a business we continually review our production footprint in support of our long-term growth ambitions for Scotch and the PAN for Talisker Distillery allows us to explore and evaluate potential options.​

“A Public consultation will form part of the PAN however at this point in time we have no firm plans for investment. Details of the public consultation arrangements will be shared in due course where the community will be able to view these proposals and provide feedback.”​

In other news, Diageo has scrapped plans to sell the Pimm’s brand after failing to reach an agreement with prospective buyers.​​

After months of negotiation and the hiring of investment bank Rothschild & Co for assistance, Diageo called an end to the protracted auction process earlier this month.