Robertson supports Gordon & MacPhail’s growth with new warehouse

Robertson Construction Northern continues its strong relationship with Elgin’s Gordon & MacPhail as work begins on the construction of £3.5m warehouse at its Benromach distillery in Forres.

The new warehouse follows the construction of two other warehouses in 2019 for the family-owned firm which has been bottling single malt whiskies since 1895. Recently, the company announced a focus on building its own brands including the multi award-winning Benromach.

Benromach was brought back from closure by Gordon & MacPhail in 1993 who refurbished and re-equipped the distillery to create a ‘handmade Speyside Single malt with a hint of smoke’.

Warehousing is an important part of the creation of this style of whisky with the maturation process tightly controlled and regularly monitored to maintain excellent quality standards. Casks are hand filled with ‘new-make’ Benromach spirit and placed in a traditional dunnage- warehouses (long and low, with an earthen floor) which maintains consistent temperatures ideal for maturing single malt whisky.

The new warehouse will support Benromach's continued growth by providing additional space for whisky storage and maturation before bottling to meet international demand.

Work is expected to complete in late spring next year. Once finished, the warehouse will have a steel whitewash finish to match the neighbouring warehouses and the historic 1898-built Speyside distillery.

Ian Phillips, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction Northern, said: “Benromach’s growth has been exceptional. The warehousing is vital to the maturing process of the whisky so it’s a great opportunity for us to apply our expertise for Gordon & MacPhail once more.

“We have been working with the company for almost 20 years and as well as being an Elgin-founded, family-run company, we also share their commitment to high-quality craftmanship and support for the local supply chain and community.”

Stuart Urquhart, Operations Director, Gordon & MacPhail, said: “Our award-winning single malt is a great success story and more warehouse space is needed to cope with the strong demand for our hand crafted product. We’re particularly pleased to be working again with another great family firm with its roots in Moray, Robertson Group, who also built our earlier warehouses.”

Founded in Elgin, Robertson Group is one of the largest family-owned construction, infrastructure and support service business in the UK and this marks the fifth project for Gordon & MacPhail and Robertson Construction Northern. It has extensive experience working with whisky companies across Scotland, including the £140m construction of The Macallan Distillery for Edrington.