The distillery, in the Coleburn location will be made into a “world-class whisky and hospitality centre”.

The revival of the Coleburn distillery has taken a major step forward with the appointment of master distiller Keith Cruickshank and the involvement of distillery experts Organic Architects.

Founded in 1897 and completed in 1899 under the direction of the renowned distillery architect Charles Doig, the distillery fell into disrepair in 1985. Now, Coleburn is to be reestablished as part of a transformative vision by D&M Winchester Ltd, the Herald reports.

Mr Cruickshank joins the team as master distiller following 27 years at the helm of Benromach. He said the appointment is “a great honour”, adding: “This is a site with a rich heritage, and I am committed to restoring its distilling tradition with care, precision, and respect for the craft.

“My focus will be on developing a spirit that reflects the character of Coleburn and the wider Speyside region, using timehonoured methods and a thoughtful approach to production. Our aim is to produce Scotch whisky of the highest possible quality, rooted in authenticity and built to stand the test of time.”

D&M Winchester Ltd, owner of the Coleburn site, has commissioned Organic Architects to finalise architectural plans for the operational facility.

With construction set to begin soon and completion expected by 2027, the project marks “landmark moment in the resurgence of Speyside’s whisky-making legacy”.