The Clynelish Scotch whisky distillery has reopened as the “Highland home of Johnnie Walker.” Diageo gave the distillery an extensive overhaul as part of its £185 million ($258 million USD) investment in its Scotch whisky visitor experiences.
Located on Scotland’s North Coast 500 route, Clynelish has been equipped with a new visitor center that features an interactive story room, retail space, and a new terrace bar overlooking Brora’s hills. An interactive visitor experience will feature secret rooms, accessible using hidden keys, designed to help visitors unlock the story of Clynelish and Johnnie Walker.
“We are delighted to be able to open the doors to Clynelish and celebrate the return of whisky tourism as we begin our phased return to life pre-Covid,” Barbara Smith, managing director of Diageo’s Scottish brand homes. “We have always had an international audience and it will be incredibly exciting to see people from all over the world walking through our doors once again when global travel permits and it’s safe to do so.
“Clynelish has always had an air of mystery. Its flavour is completely unexpected, with tropical notes, citrus and the unmistakable waxy finish. It is not what you’d expect from a Highland distillery and the new visitor experience will take people on a journey of exploration and discovery. We can guarantee that Clynelish won’t disappoint.”
Clynelish is the second of the “four corners of Johnnie Walker” single malt whisky distilleries to reopen after receiving a massive upgrade. Last October, Glenkinchie reopened after going through a “major transformation.” The investment also includes a new Johnnie Walker experience in Edinburgh, as well as the restoration of the shuttered Port Ellen and Brora distilleries. Speyside distillery Cardhu is set to reopen next month.
The Johnnie Walker experience is expected to open at some time this summer, but no date has been announced at this time.
To book a visit to the Clynelish distillery, head over to the official website.