Gwynedd business makes history

The company, famous for its Welsh gins and liqueurs launched their inaugural whisky on 17th May – coincidentally, World Whisky Day – and all 2,000 bottles sold within a day. Aber Falls Single Malt Whisky is the first to be distilled in north Wales in 120 years, and went on sale just as five whisky distilleries in Wales began their bid for Geographical Indication status for Welsh whisky.

On the very same day, they opened their brand new visitor centre which includes a bistro, shop and exhibition space. It also includes a ‘gin lab’ where visitors can design and make their own bespoke gins. They can also enjoy an alfresco dining experience on the terrace with beautiful views of the distillery and the Carneddau Mountains. The new visitor centre, costing some £1.5m to build, provides employment for local people.

Distilling the whisky is already having a positive effect on other Welsh businesses. The company sources its malt barley from Pembrokeshire; the ‘distillers grains’ are given to the local dairy farmer, situated next to the distillery, as feed for his herd. The milk from this herd goes to the South Caernarfon Creameries near Pwllheli. 

Aber Falls Distillery has received some local business and funding support and has worked with Menter a Busnes’, ‘Cywain Fine Food Cluster’ scheme and the Welsh Government’s Coastal Communities Fund. 

The support from the Coastal Communities Fund will also enable Aber Falls to develop a farmers’ market on the site, helping with the food and drink strategy within Wales. Whilst supporting more local businesses by creating a platform for their produce.

The Coastal Communities Fund, which is now closed, was established in 2012 and provided 102 projects in Wales with a total of £22m in funding. Delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government, the fund was set up to encourage the economic development of coastal communities in Wales by providing grants to create sustainable economic growth and jobs.

Cywain is a scheme managed by Menter a Busnes, providing business and product development support to Welsh food and drink businesses. The scheme provides direct support to improve skills and, through its Fine Food Cluster, encourages Welsh food and drink businesses to collaborate.

In addition to the new visitor centre, Aber Falls offers one-hour tours of the distillery which can be booked online.