History

Deeside Brewery was founded in Banchory in 2012 by Michael Bain, a former IT entrepreneur-turned-bar owner (of Dusk in Aberdeen).

The team installed distilling equipment in an extension to the brewery in 2017, and by July had laid down casks of its first single malt in a range of experimental 55-litre octaves.

In October 2018 the distillery installed a 600-litre copper pot still and in February 2019 began running distillations of a single malt spirit that’s being matured in a mixture of ex-Bourbon barrels and ex-Sherry butts.

While the extension offers limited space for the modest set-up, Deeside (formerly known as Twin River distillery) has plans to build a larger brewery and distillery on a 2.2-acre plot in Banchory, which will incorporate a visitor centre, restaurant and taproom. To fund the move, Deeside is seeking to raise £8 million through an investment drive and the pre-sale of casks.

Deeside plans to only produce 100 casks at its current distillery, before closing the plant and moving the operation to its new premises, which will be named Burn o’ Bennie.

Of the 100 casks produced, 88 are being sold to the public, while 12 will be retained by Deeside for bottling once the spirit reaches at least 10 years of age.