Dr Nick Morgan, head of whisky outreach for Diageo, told Drinks International, that installing six stills and 10 wash backs, effectively doubling the capacity to 10 million litres of pure alcohol, constitutes a £25 million investment by the world’s largest premium drinks company.

Subject to planning permission being granted, the new stills and wash backs will be put in existing 19^th Century buildings, former maltings, on the site on the Black Isle, approximately 15 miles north west of Inverness.

Glen Ord is described as having notes of spice, ginger and orange with a hint of peat. Morgan says the malt whisky is a “major component” in virtually all of Diageo’s major blended scotch whiskies.

The Singleton of Glen Ord brand comes in three expressions: 12, 15 and 18 Year Old. The brand is available exclusively in Asia and particularly Taiwan where is is the second largest selling brand.