The Glenmorangie Company said they were going to sell the Glen Moray distillery. As promised, they just did.
Just-Drinks reports that Glen Moray was sold to a french company called La Martiniquaise. They have been small players in the global Scotch whisky world, selling Glen Turner single malt and Label 5 blended scotch. They also produce Old Virginia bourbon and Sam Barton Canadian whisky.
Why sell to a French company? Keep in mind that the Glenmorangie company is owned by LVMH, another French company. This might have had something to do with it. But I am only speculating here.
Hopefully the new company will allow Glen Moray to blossom to its full potential as a single malt scotch.
Hi John,
La Martiniquaise operates Glen Turner Distillery, as yet misleading named as it is a bottling plant in Bathgate.
The bottling operation was moved from France to be able to call the Glen Turner malts and certain blends as matured and bottled in Scotland.
http://business.scotsman.com/whisky/A-oui-dram.2526169.jp
La Martiniquaise is the second largest spirits producer in France and has a portfolio which includes vodka rum whisky and gin like any other major spirits company.
What is more the are about to build their own Lowland distillery on their 15 acre site in West Lothian.
http://icwestlothian.icnetwork.co.uk/courier/news/tm_headline=distillery-is-toast-of-county-as-it-announces-major-jobs-boost&method=full&objectid=21719114&siteid=92284-name_page.html
The new facility will be able to produce grain and malt.
As Broxburn bottling plant has an uncertain future Glen Turner will be the only major whisky company in the area soon.
They are on their way up it seems
On their way up indeed! It all makes sense. Thanks for providing the background and perspective. Much appreciated.
I don’t think I have ever seen Glen Moray on the shelf at Beltramo’s (http://www.beltramos.com/; they are in the Malt Advocate 200+ retail category and I make a regular habit of scanning for new stuff, plus their whisky buyer calls me whenever something interesting or new comes in).
Will this move give them better access to the US market?
Hi John,
here some figures about the capacaty of the new distillery.
http://www.laddieblog.com/laddieblog/Blog/Entries/2008/9/17_Glen_Moray_Stays_French.html
With pleasure. After all you asked for more contributions.
Thomas, there used to be some very interesting older Glen Moray vintage whiskies a decade or two ago, to go with the standard fare. But you’re right: Glen Moray has been pretty scarce lately.
Kallaskander, thanks again for the additional information.