Glendronach distillery in Aberdeenshire has been sold, it was announced yesterday.

Glendronach distillery in Aberdeenshire has been sold, it was announced yesterday.

Glendronach has been sold to The BenRiach Distillery Company, one of the whisky industry's growing band of independents, by Chivas Brothers. The BenRiach Distillery Company is the vehicle through which three entrepreneurs, led by Scotch whisky industry veteran Billy Walker, bought this eponymous Speyside malt distillery, south of Elgin, from Chivas Brothers in 2004. The BenRiach Distillery Company is headquartered in Larbert, Stirlingshire.

Christian Porta, chairman and chief executive of Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of French drinks giant Pernod Ricard, said: "We are pleased to be selling this distillery to The BenRiach Distillery Company, who will be able to give it the attention and commitment it deserves. We currently have 13 operational malt distilleries, including the recently re-opened Braeval Distillery and we have also started significant expansion plans for The Glenlivet Distillery, which is one of the top 15 priority brands of Pernod Ricard.

"Therefore, our focus is to continue to develop and improve these distilleries."

Glendronach Distillery is at Forgue, by Huntly in Aberdeenshire.