Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that the Dallas Dhu distillery in Moray Speyside will reopen as a working distillery.
Aceo Distillers Company Limited (Aceo) will be taking over the management of the distillery operations at Dallas Dhu and plan to implement a phased program for the development of the site with HES continuing to oversee the site on behalf of Scottish Ministers.
This development is expected to bring benefits to the local community and economy. Dallas Dhu will be transformed into a unique heritage attraction, where visitors can experience artisanal Scotch whisky production methods and learn about the rich history of Speyside whisky and the traditional art of Scotch whisky making.
Aceo plans to implement operational improvements in phases, including bonded warehousing facilities, traditional whisky production, and enhancing the visitor experience.
The new visitor center will offer tours that focus on the story of Scotch whisky and Speyside production. Investment will prioritize sustainable improvements to the distillery, ensuring that the historic and artisanal nature of the distilling process remains central to the experience as Dallas Dhu is brought back to life.
Dallas Dhu, built by entrepreneur Alexander Edward, has a long and distinguished history. It was originally constructed to meet the growing demand for Scotland’s national drink. The distillery produced malt whisky for the popular Roderick Dhu blend for nearly a century. However, production ceased in 1983, and the distillery was handed into state care a few years later. The traditional distilling equipment remains exactly as it was when the doors closed for the final time.
Edward Odim, Managing Director, Aceo said “The Aceo Team are thrilled to be reopening the historic Dallas Dhu Distillery. Our vision is to make Dallas Dhu one of the leading, must-see whisky distilleries in Scotland, giving visitors a unique, close-up experience of whisky making. The aim is to breathe life back into the distillery by first getting the original equipment working and traditional whisky distilling going once again. This revived, long-lost spirit will be matured in Dallas Dhu’s well-preserved Victorian dunnage warehouses.”
“Longer-term, the plan is for a state-of-the-art visitor centre with exhibition and museum space, and a café/restaurant, to be enjoyed by visitors and the local community. There will be a cooperage displaying the art of the cooper, a working malting floor and an interactive virtual reality whisky experience, that delves into the science behind Scotland’s famous spirit. But, as well as show how whisky is made, we intend to tell the social and economic story – past and present – of whisky production in Speyside, Scotland’s largest whisky producing region.”
“So, it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and get going on reviving this jewel in the crown of Scotland’s whisky distilleries.”
