Bibmer Submits Plans for New Dunphail Scotch Whisky Distillery

by Hannah Kanik
March 24, 2021

London’s Bimber Distillery recently confirmed plans to open a new Scottish whisky distillery in Dunphail, south of Forres.

This proposal is currently under review by Moray Council. If approved, it will see an existing farm steading converted into a small craft Scotch whisky distillery that combines tradition and modernity into both its looks and production process.

The new distillery will also house a floor malting facility and traditional kiln to process 100% of the distillery’s barley. The distillery wants to make a full-bodied, fruit-forward spirit in both unpeated and peated styles. There will be a visitor center, blending rooms and dunnage warehousing as well.

Distillation is expected to start at the site in 2022, though construction and planning consent could delay that slightly.

“We’re tremendously excited by the prospect of opening Dunphail Distillery – whisky making has been a lifetime passion for us – and that enthusiasm both originated and has continued to grow from our love for the quality and diversity of Scotch,” Bimber’s Dariusz Plazewski said in a prepared statement. “We are aiming to create whiskies with distinctive profiles that have been shaped by traditional production processes. At the same time, we are committed to building a distillery that encourages people to act, think and drink different – and for us to lead the way by reducing our environmental footprint.”

The distillery will be sustainable, energy-efficient and promote water conservation. Its packaging is plastic-free and its ingredients will be sourced as locally as possible in order to reduce the site’s carbon footprint.

The team even wants to create a new forest on the grounds of the distillery— for every cask purchased, a tree will be planted, the distillery said.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for us. We are aiming to expand our production capacity at Bimber by exploring potential London sites for a relocation – at the same time we are thrilled to be looking to Scotland to establish a new distillery that will be distinctive from and run separately to Bimber,” Darius added. “Drawing from our experience and knowledge, we intend to combine our traditional outlook to production with a forward-looking innovative approach to whisky education and appreciation. Our vision for Dunphail is to craft truly exceptional, world-class spirit born of the techniques of the past – but with its focus firmly on the future.”