The world’s first 100% community-owned whisky distillery, GlenWyvis, has launched its second open share offer and is welcoming new investors from around the world.
The distillery, based in Dingwall in the Highlands of Scotland, has already raised nearly £200,000 and now hopes to bring in another aiming £750,000.
With the additional funds, the Glenwyvis is speeding up work on its brand and visitor centre development. It is also bringing gin distilling to Dingwall and to reduce commercial lending costs.
The distillery, which will be entirely powered by green energy, is being built at the Heights of Docharty by Dingwall and is on schedule to open this November.
The stills and mash-tuns are now in place and recruitment is under way for the master distiller and visitor centre development officer.
Founder and managing director John McKenzie said: “We are making great progress with the distillery build which can now be seen in its stately position from the town below and right across the glen with a wealth of stunning landscapes all around.
“Our sights are firmly set on the first run of spirit in November this year and our second share offer will ensure we maintain our momentum, as we move into our branding and development phase.”
He added: “We are seeing a great deal of interest from international visitors, as we are sited in the Highlands of Scotland but also on the North Coast 500 route and near to some of the prime “Outlander” locations*. We are also within easy reach of Culloden and many clan sites making it an ideal addition to a visitor’s itinerary.
“By investing in the community share offer, it will make it all the more exciting and interesting for investors to come and see the distillery they have invested in, at first hand and really feel a part of the first ever community-led malt whisky distillery.”
GlenWyvis already has some 2,600 members who invested in the original share offer in 2016 and it says the new share offer opportunity capitalises on continued interest from locals and visitors alike.
The minimum investment is £250 for all investors, and supporters will also be able pay extra to have their name added to the distillery wall or the “path to the stills”. The share offer will remain open until the target is reached.
Simon Walker, head of campaigns at Ccrowdfunder said: “The GlenWyvis Distillery is a unique project to create the world’s first 100% community-owned whisky distillery. Following last year’s successful crowdfunding campaign with over £2.6 million raised, we’re delighted that the team has decided to use crowdfunder.co.uk once again for the next phase of funding.
“As a project which gives people a chance to play an active role in this venture, we’re excited to see not only the development of the distillery itself, but how the community continues to work together to make the project a reality. We look forward to raising a glass with John and his team over the next couple of months.”
Full details of the open share offer naming options at www.glenwyvis.com; investment can be made online via www.crowdfunder.co.uk or www.glenwyvis.com.
