The New Zealand Whisky Co has entered a leasing agreement with Lion New Zealand for its whisky production, establishing a new distillery within Dunedin-based Speight’s Brewery.
As one of Dunedin’s most visited attractions, Speight’s Brewery will have its millhouse accommodate space for the whisky company’s new distillery. Construction is expected to be completed by May, with first distillations commencing in June.
The New Zealand Whisky Co purchased the remaining 80,000 litres of single malt and blended whisky distilled in Dunedin’s Willowbank distiller, and since rebranded and relaunched a range of whiskies. Its brands include Dunedin DoubleWood, South Island Single Malt and The Oamaruvian, all of which are distributed internationally.
Greg Ramsay, founder of The New Zealand Whisky Co, said the team was excited to work with Lion to take production to the next level as demand for whisky continues to grow.
“We believe that by working with Speight’s to unlock the enormous potential around the Speight’s Brewery property, we can go a long way to creating more world-class whisky, and deliver a distillery destination of international acclaim,” said Ramsay.
“We are already working with Speight’s expert team of brewers to tailor the supply of our own wash, a sweet un-hopped beer, which is the building-block for distilling all single malt whiskies. To have Lion on board to support us, with such an iconic downtown location, allows us to unlock new avenues and showcase our precious whisky range to more people.”
Speight’s brewery manager Arron Goodwin said Lion and Speight’s were looking forward to bringing back whisky at the Speight’s property.
“James Speight’s apprenticed at the Wellpark Brewery, which became the Willowbank Distillery, so this whisky and our brewery have heritage going back over 150 years,” said Goodwin.
“The amount of wash that the distillery will be buying from us annually, will result in a very meaningful increase in our brewery production, and as their whisky supply and sales grow, the busier our brewers will be.”
Lion ranked #4 in the Food & Drink Business Top 100 Australian Food and Drink Companies 2019 report.
