BenRiach buys Banffshire distillery Glenglassaugh

Glenglassaugh produces a Highland single malt, which BenRiach said would complement its brands

The BenRiach Distillery Company has bought one of Scotland's oldest whisky distilleries in Banffshire.

Glenglassaugh, which dates back to 1875, was bought from Amsterdam-based Lumiere Holdings for an undisclosed sum.

It produces a range of single malt whiskies and has a capacity to produce 1.1 million litres of whisky a year.

BenRiach said the Glenglassaugh single malt made an "excellent complementary fit" with its existing brands.

Glenglassaugh is situated on the Banffshire coast, close to the village of Portsoy. Operations at the distillery stopped in 1986 and re-started in 2008.

BenRiach co-owner Billy Walker said Glenglassaugh had a "rich and distinguished heritage".

He added: "Part of its attraction to us is that it isn't too large for our portfolio but its potential in contributing to the group certainly is.

"It's our intention to bring this iconic distillery fully back to life by giving it the investment, commitment and care it deserves.

"I believe our whisky expertise, proven brand-building ability and strong routes to market will help take Glenglassaugh to the next level."

Last year Edinburgh-based BenRiach suggested it might make some acquisitions after securing a £27m funding package from Royal Bank of Scotland.

In 2008, it acquired the Glendronach distillery in Aberdeenshire before launching a five-line bottling plant in Newbridge in 2010.

Glenglassaugh is situated on the Banffshire coast, close to the village of Portsoy. Operations at the distillery stopped in 1986 and re-started in 2008.