Cask stregnth

Glazing systems from Kawneer were recently used on an award-winning distillery.
Kawneer’s AA110 dry-glazed and externally-capped curtain walling and series 350 severe-duty commercial entrance doors feature on the £30 million Dalmunach Distillery on the banks of the River Spey in north Scotland.
Designed by architects Archial Norr, the new distillery was commissioned by Chivas Brothers to replace the former Imperial Distillery as the 15th Scotch whisky distillery operated by the company.
They were not looking for an industrial shed but rather a building that would demonstrate the manufacturing process in a transparent and easy-to-follow way. The distillery was designed to showcase the equipment including malt mills, malt bins, mash tuns, washbacks, stills and the spirit safe, in a bright and spacious environment.
Built using the latest innovations and environmental expertise such as heat recovery technology, the layout was inspired by the shape of a sheaf of barley, Scotch whisky’s core ingredient.
Set over two levels with the main production level at the first floor, in a departure from distillery traditions the eight copper pot stills have been positioned in a circular design that gives a feeling of spaciousness and provides a unique aesthetic for the future. The stills feature tulip shapes for the wash stills and onion shapes for the spirit stills, replicating those used at the Imperial Distillery.
The use of a traditional series of pitched roofs reinforces a connection with the past while resolving functional issues such as head room for the malt silos and enhancing the building’s passive ventilation system.
The massing opens up to form a welcoming main entrance area flanked by a drum containing offices and staff facilities for passive supervision. The simple palette of dark grey profiled metal, white wet dash, oiled timber and Kawneer’s curtain walling with 65mm sightlines keeps the elevations simple and crisp and recalls classic distillery heritage.
Kawneer’s curtain walling has been used as the principal screens in the Mash House and Still Room, including the striking gable screens which also accommodate the large louvered timber access doors. On both, subtly radiused corners help soften the overall appearance.
The design of the curtain wall, with glass units more than 10m2 in size and weighing up to 540kg, allowed for partial demountability to allow for future removal of the glass for maintenance of the equipment inside.
The systems by Kawneer were installed over five months for main contractor Robertson by approved specialist sub-contractor Linn-Tech Scotland.