Remy Cointreau to build on-site maltings facility at Islay distillery

Remy Cointreau is planning to build an on-site malting facility at its Bruichladdich distillery on the Isle of Islay to establish a closed-loop production process.

Subject to approval from planning authorities, Remy Cointreau aims to complete the installation by 2023.

Bruichladdich CEO Douglas Taylor said: “Running a business from an island makes us distinctly aware that our social, economic and environmental impact must be a positive one. We feel strongly about our responsibility to the island and the people of Islay.

“In recent years, we have endeavoured to be more sustainable in our operations and more environmental in our actions.

The increased maltings capability is expected to allow the Bruichladdich site to grow its barley experimentation process. The distillery currently grows 42% of its barley locally and the existing malting process includes the transportation of Islay-grown barley to Inverness for malting.

Taylor further added: “Some have been straightforward, like stopping using bottled water and introducing the use of electric vehicles, or more complicated, like habitat protection, wildlife corridor agreements with landowners for barley growing or engineering a solution that re-uses the hot waste-water from distillation.”

“These actions are just the beginning of a long-term vision to be more sustainable in all we do and to leave behind a bright future for generations to come.”

Bruichladdich purchased 30 acres of land adjacent to the distillery. It expects to conduct barley trials and test sustainable farming practices.

In September 2012, Remy Cointreau’s UK subsidiary acquired Scotch whisky distiller Bruichladdich Distillery.