Bacardi Invests $250M in Dewar's

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, announces the initial phase of its $250 million dollar investment in Scotch whisky production has been completed. This investment is to meet growing demand for the premium portfolio of Dewar's Scotch whiskies, which are among the top-selling, favorite and most awarded Scotches in the world.

 

"Demand for Dewar's Scotch whiskies has grown significantly in the United States, Asia and other emerging markets and we are excited to have completed the first phase of a new infrastructure project to support higher inventories of maturing whisky and increase our blending, bottling and packing capabilities," says Seamus McBride, president and chief executive officer of Bacardi Limited.

 

Dewar's has undertaken a comprehensive redevelopment of an existing site in Parkhead, Glasgow, and has built five new maturation warehouses and a new blend center, as well as installed new bottling lines and packing equipment.

 

The Dewar's expansion project, which started in July 2007 and was one of the most significant investments ever in the Scotch industry at the time, will be completed in phases over 10 years.

 

The company also purchased more than 100 acres in central Scotland and developed a second maturation facility including six warehouses where Dewar's ages whisky for flavor and smoothness. Three more aging warehouses are currently under construction and a blending facility will be built next year.