Australian businessman buys Bladnoch Distillery | Border

Bladnoch, the southern-most distillery in Scotland is to start producing whisky again.

Bladnoch Distillery in Galloway is to reopen and restart production after being purchased by Australian businessman, David Prior. He founded five-am, an organic yoghurt and granola business in 2009, the company being sold to PZ Cussons for £52 million in 2014. “Scotch Whisky is the world’s foremost spirit drink and I am proud to be part of the Scotch Whisky industry”. The distillery, Bladnoch, was, at one time, considered one of this region’s top Lowland style single malts, but a long history of challenges since its founding in 1817 had forced it into a recent quasi-mothball state.

Aside from the distillery, the new owner also acquired a warehouse and a visitor centre, where it hopes to create further new jobs to help boost local employment.

The distillery’s former parent, Ireland’s Co-ordinated Development Services, was placed in liquidation a year ago, with Prior acquiring it for an undisclosed sum late last week.

Iain McLean, agent for Bladnoch Distillery at DWF, said: “We were pleased to support Bladnoch Distillery Limited on this deal which marks a significant moment for the distillery sector in Scotland. It is particularly pleasing to have sold the distillery to a buyer with a clear growth strategy”.