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JAMstudio celebrates opening of £1m Dalmore Visitor Experience

Award-winning architectural design consultancy JAMstudio has breathed new life into a revered Highland distillery.

JAMstudio designed and project managed the £1m refurbishment of The Dalmore Visitor Experience. The Dalmore is one of the world’s most luxurious whisky brands.

JAMstudio tapped into the history and modern-day global success of The Dalmore to create a new-look whisky experience that is unlike any other.

Dalmore and JAMstudio are delighted the spirit and traditions of the distillery’s past have been retained in a modern, innovative project.

Marie-Louise Dunk, a director at JAMstudio, said: “The brief was to imagine a new visitor experience that broke new ground. Clever use of lighting is key throughout, bringing visitors into the heart of centre, the Custodians Lounge, where they can discuss their experience over a glass of Dalmore.

“LED Lighting in the distillery area. Carefully controlled lighting to change the mood and the atmosphere. Stills underlit to give the impression of fire and warmth. The smell of the spirit. The sound of the grain being milled. The taste of The Dalmore at the end of your journey. All these combine to create an experience to remember.

“Scottish craftsmanship was used to shape the project. From the carved oak boardroom table inlaid with the solid silver 12-point stag’s head which appears on all bottles of Dalmore, to the specially designed bottle display cases, and the “bloodline”, a sparkling glass mosaic, that runs throughout.

“We’ve brought a new concept to distillery tours while making The Dalmore’s heritage the centrepiece of the exercise. We’ve given people a better understanding of distilling, using dramatic lighting to bring a sense of theatre to this magical process.”

The harsh working environment in the still house, with temperatures rising often to more than 35C, was one of the greatest challenges for designers. But the solution adopted was ATEX-rated LED lighting technology, harnessed in a concept never used before in this type of space.

“Technologically it was extremely challenging,” said Marie-Louise, “but we’re delighted to have created something real and luxurious with a rich ambience.”

The refurbished distillery, 20 miles north of Inverness, has the accent on opulence, with The Dalmore’s colours of burgundy and silver featuring along with glossy black lacquer, lush velvet and leather and back-lit frosted glass.

Features of the experience include hidden doors with a secret entrance from the shop through to the Alchemy Room where a circular tasting table will be internally illuminated.

David Robertson, director of rare whisky for The Dalmore distillery, said: “The Dalmore Visitor Experience retains the heritage and traditions of Dalmore in a contemporary, engaging way thanks to JAMstudio. We’re expecting visitors from all over the world to enjoy the finest of welcomes and a glass of Dalmore.”

Located deep in the spectacular Scottish Highlands, the distillery is perfectly placed to take advantage of a feast of natural resources: from the waters of Loch Morie, found high in the hills overlooking the distillery, to the golden barley of the rich coastal soils of the Black Isle.

The Dalmore distillery, near Alness, has been producing exceptional single malt whisky since 1839. The distillery warehouses feature some of the oldest whisky stocks in the world and visitors to the distillery receive a rare insight into the skill, expertise and crafting required to produce each precious drop of The Dalmore.

JAMstudio has won business awards and residential accolades for its work.

In the last seven years, Fetternear-based JAMstudio has designed and delivered more than £40 million worth of commercial and residential projects.

For further information about JAMstudio visit www.jamstudio.uk.com, email info@jamstudio.uk.com, or call (01467) 641670.

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