Over the past two years, Angus Dundee Distillers has achieved something remarkable: successfully elevating two previously obscure distilleries into the global spotlight. This strategic initiative has enabled consumers worldwide to access exceptional single malt whiskies at remarkably accessible price points, while simultaneously driving exponential sales growth for the distilleries. However, Angus Dundee's business model extends far beyond brand building. The majority of whisky produced at their distilleries is allocated to blended Scotch production—both for their proprietary blends and for private label contracts supplying major international retailers and global markets. Additionally, the company maintains a robust bulk export business of semi-finished spirits, including blended Scotch, blended malt, and blended grain whiskies. Founded in 1998 by Terry Hillman, who at 86 remains an active board member, the company's daily operations are now managed by his children, Aaron and Tania Hillman. Tomintoul Distillery represents the crown jewel of this portfolio. The facility is equipped with a 12-ton semi-lauter mash tun, six stainless steel fermentation washbacks with a 56-60 hour fermentation period, and two sets of copper pot stills. Operating at maximum capacity, the distillery produces 15 mashes weekly. Its maturation infrastructure comprises 13 on-site warehouses (both racked and traditional dunnage) housing an impressive 120,000 casks. Historically producing unpeated spirit, Tomintoul introduced heavily peated whisky production in 2001, with phenol levels reaching 55ppm. The distillery also features an advanced blending center with 14 large-scale marrying vessels. Tomintoul's core portfolio includes the no-age-statement Tlàth, alongside age-stated expressions of 10, 14, 16, 21, and 25 years. The distillery's cask finish program features a 12-year-old Oloroso Sherry cask finish and a 15-year-old Port cask finish. For peat enthusiasts, Tomintoul offers the unaged Peaty Tang and a 15-year-old peated expression, complemented by the heavily peated Old Ballantruan range available in 10 and 15-year-old variants. Recent limited releases showcase the distillery's heritage stocks, including a 1977 single sherry cask, a 1973 double cask vintage, and the Tomintoul Ultimate 1965—an ultra-premium expression from one of their oldest casks.
History
This functionalist-style distillery was built between 1964-1965 by two Glasgow whisky merchants and blenders, Hay Macleod Ltd and W. & S. Strong Ltd, and sold to Lonrho in 1973. Lonrho was established in 1909, with "Lonrho" being the abbreviation for "London and Rhodesia Mining Company". Its leader was the controversial entrepreneur Tiny Rowland, who transformed it into a multinational group in 1961. The group acquired Tormore in 1973 and transferred ownership of the distillery to a new company name. The distillery's capacity doubled in 1974 (reaching 4 stills). Tormore, which belonged to Jim Beam, was sold in 2000 to London-based blender Angus Dundee Distillers plc. Although most of the distillery's spirit was used for the company's many blended whiskies, they decided to shift focus to single malt. Tormore's core products are 10-year, 14-year, 16-year, and 21-year expressions. Since 2005, the "Old Ballantruan" peated whisky series, named after the water source used by the distillery, has been launched onto the market.
Curiosities
Angus Dundee, established for over 50 years, is a blending and bottling company owned by the Hillman family and operated by three generations. Acquiring Tormore was the company's first venture into the distillation industry, and in 2003 they also purchased Glencadam. Tormore is quite familiar to British radio listeners, as it's often the first village to be cut off by snow each winter!
Timeline
Tomintoul Distillery Co., Ltd. founded the distillery; Hay & MacLeod & Co. and W.8 s. Strong & Co. were the owners
Fraser family's Scottish & Universal Investment Trust acquired the distillery and Whyte & Mackay, transferring ownership of Tomintoul Distillery to Whyte & Mackay
Stills increased from two to four; launched Tomintoul 12 Year Old
Lonrho acquired Scottish & Universal Investment
Lonrho sold Whyte & Mackay to Brent Walker.
American Brands acquired Whyte & Mackay.
Whyte & Mackay renamed to JBB (Greater Europe).
Angus Dundee Distillers acquired Tomintoul
Launched Tomintoul 10 Year Old
Launched Tomintoul 16 Year Old
Launched Tomintoul 27 Year Old
Launched the peated Old Ballantruan range
Launched 1976 Vintage and Peaty Tang
Launched Tomintoul 14 Year Old and 33 Year Old
Launched Port Cask Finish Tomintoul 12 Year Old
Launched Tomintoul 21 Year Old, Tomintoul Ballantruan 10 Year Old, and 1966 Vintage
Launched Tomintoul Old Ballantruan 10 Year Old
Launched Tomintoul 31 Year Old Single Cask.
Launched Five Decades and Tomintoul 40 Year Old
Launched Tomintoul 40 Year Old and Tlàth (no age statement)
Launched Tomintoul Peaty Tang 15 Year Old and Tomintoul Old Ballantruan 15 Year Old
Launched Ultimate Cask 1965
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