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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
National
Owen Hughes

Penderyn will use Llandudno reservoir for water for unique North Wales whisky

A reservoir on the Great Orme will supply the water for Penderyn's Llandudno whisky.

The Welsh brand were granted planning permission last year to restore and convert the Old Board School on Lloyd Street into a Distillery and Visitor Centre.

It will see the shop open on May 17 and that date will see them start distilling on the Penderyn Llandudno Lloyd Street site for the first time - with tours to start in June.

Penderyn, based in the Brecon Beacons, have revealed it will be a unique new whisky for North Wales. They will use water from a reservoir near the old lighthouse on the Great Orme.

It will also be the first time Penderyn uses peated barley for its whisky. This is traditionally used to make scotch although Penderyn said the way they are combining it with its distinctive flavours will produce a unique profile single malt that will not be like any Scotch whisky.

But there will be a wait until the first dram is served with the whisky to be barrel aged for between five and eight years.

Jon Tregenna, from Penderyn Distillery, said: "We will start distilling on May 17 and that is big day for any distillery.

"We will create a distinct whisky in Llandudno and this will be the first time we have used peated barley. The water will come from a reservoir on the Great Orme.

Penderyn whisky distillery and visitor centre in Llandudno (Aaron Lennox)

"There is a fresh spring that provides wonderful water.

"Both the water and peated barley will make this a unique whisky in Llandudno.

"We won't rush the whisky as it has to be right."

There is plenty to do while waiting, with tours at the distillery giving an insight into the production process and the chance to try some of Penderyn's existing whiskies in a tasting room.

The site also has an exhibition on the history of the town and the building which was a school and later an archive.

They will employ 15 staff. The chief operating officer is Neil Quigley, while the new site manager is local man Dafydd Pesic Smith.

Bethan Morgans is the distiller who is commissioning the plant on site.

It is expected to provide a boost to Llandudno - adding an extra indoor attraction for visitors.

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