SCOTLAND’S growing number of whisky distilleries have been joined by Banchory-based Twin River Distillery.

Believed to be the first to launch in Royal Deeside for almost 200 years, Twin River Distillery comes from the team behind Deeside Brewery.

Twin River has recently invested over £200k in the distillery to accommodate the production of its spirits, with plans for new premises in 2018. £1.4m will be invested to build a new brewery, distillery and visitor centre with taproom in the heart of Banchory.

Funds for the centre will be sought through both internal and external sources, including private investment and crowdfunding, via the sale of early release octaves, which are 55 litre casks.

To support with the development and production of its products, the distillery has appointed Andrew Tulloch as a distiller where he’ll be using his brewing knowledge to underpin Twin River Distillery as a key contributor to the craft drinks industry.

Ryan Rhodes has been recruited as brand director and joins Twin River with more than 12 years of experience in the global bar and drinks trade, including a two-year stint in Singapore before joining Dusk Bar in Aberdeen as a Bar Manager in 2015.

He said: “We’ve used our brewing knowledge to create a wash which includes chocolate malt before distilling it to cask strength and laying it down in 55 litre virgin charred American oak casks. This type of cask ages the whisky much quicker.”