In a visit to Penderyn’s new Llandudno Distillery today, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS - met with Dafydd Pesic-Smith, Distillery Site Manager, to discuss its positive plans to support tourism and local drink production. A future and locally produced peated barley spirit will be the focus of the new distillery. Its opening in May came following a £5 million transformation of the former Grade II listed Old Board School.
Today’s visit came after Janet welcomed Stephen Davies, Chief Executive of Penderyn Distillery, to the Senedd estate last month. Public tours of the venue started from last month, with the aim of attracting 80,000 a year to the site. The public tour finishes in the tasting room where people can sample a whisky or two.
Speaking of the distillery after her visit, Janet said:
“The Old Board School has a proud place in our local history, having been built in the 1880s and later becoming Conwy council's archives buildings. From what I have seen today, and following Penderyn’s phenomenal renovation of the building, the story and heritage of this place will only be strengthened in the years to come.
“It is incredibly exciting that, in around three and a half years’ time, people will be sipping on a new spirit which was produced right here in the Queen of the Welsh resorts. Featuring a peated malt, it will also use the water from a reservoir near the old lighthouse on the Great Orme.
“Forget sticks of rock, this will be Llandudno in a bottle and I cannot wait to have a taste once it is given the greenlight from their head distiller. With public tours now underway, I have little doubt that this will become a centre of excellence for Wales, helping to draw in visitors which will positively benefit our accommodation and hospitality businesses.
“The fact that they are also supporting Conwy’s bid to become the next City of Culture also underpins their long-term investment in our community. I would like to thank Stephen Davies, Dafydd Pesic-Smith and the team for very kindly arranging today’s tour and I wish them the very best for their opening year.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The Distillery Shop opened on Monday the 17 May 2021. Distillery Tours are available but have temporarily been limited to 8 people per tour (as opposed to the usual 20), and they have put several Social Distancing and other factors into place.
- More information can be found by heading to www. penderyn.wales
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS with Dafydd Pesic-Smith & her son, Adam.
