Profile: Tormore distillery

Despite being built in 1959, Tormore distillery was one of the first new distilleries of the 20th century. Recently acquired by Elixir Distillers in 2022, the Speyside distillery is in many ways returning to its roots. Having lived there as a small boy, it’s a site that the Society’s head of the whisky creation, Euan Campbell, is familiar with. Here, he returns to his childhood home ahead of the release of Tormore’s first expression in this new era

Photos by Mike Wilkinson. Pictured: Euan inspects the Tormore still safe

Anyone travelling along the A95 towards Grantown-on-Spey will have spotted the picturesque grounds and buildings of Tormore distillery. Architecturally distinct, it’s surrounded by elegant topiaried gardens.

Crowned with its weathered green copper roof, the distillery makes quite the impression. This trip is something of a homecoming for me. My family lived on site in the distillery houses when I was born and my dad, Gus, worked at the distillery as the maintenance manager. That involved everything from looking after the employee houses, vehicles and distillery equipment, to covering shifts as the mashman or stillman. “Jack of all trades, master of none” as he modestly puts it. I was only two years old when we left in 1987.

Tormore Distillery is quite the sight, but remains closed to visitors

At the foot of the steps to the entrance of the distillery, there’s a curious mini-lido type installation. Elixir’s head blender, Oliver Chilton, tells me that it was in the original plans as a curling rink for the workers and residents. For one reason or another it was never used for that purpose and my dad tells me it was filled with water during his tenure, for use in case of fire. The original build was certainly community minded. In addition to the employee housing, there’s a charming village hall which was used for local badminton and carpet bowls tournaments until the late 90s. Perhaps less social is the ornate clock tower, currently silent, which plays a selection of Scottish jingles every 15 minutes should you want it to.

The new owners look to continue that community ethos. The number of employees has gone from five to 25 and providing local jobs plays a key role in their vision.
Most of the houses are now holiday homes, but Oliver explains that Elixir have taken back ownership of some of them. In fact, he currently lives in my old house and uses next door as his blending lab.