Penderyn to open distillery in Swansea

On 14 July 2023, the Welsh Penderyn Distillery will open their third whisky distillery. The Penderyn Distillery in the Brecon Beacons has been existing since 2000, and a second distillery in Llandudno since 2021 (we reported). So in the future, whisky will also be produced in Swansea.

Stephen Davies, Penderyn Distillerys CEO, said: “Opening our new facility in Swansea is a major step forward for Penderyn as a business and a brand. We are adding a significant amount of additional production capacity to allow the business to continue its trajectory of continued high growth and also beautiful new visitor facilities that will ensure that people can experience our brand story as well as being able to discover and enjoy world class single malts from Wales.”

But it is not only production that is planned here in Swansea; the distillery also wants to attract tourists with a visitor centre and help the region to flourish.

Swansea: a historically significant place

The distillery is housed in the historic Hafod Morfa Copperworks building, which was restored and furnished at a cost of 15 million pounds. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Hafod Morfa played a significant role in the global copper industry. Almost 90% of Britain's copper smelting  took place within just 20 miles of Swansea at that time.

However, this economic achievement also had negative sides: Copper smelting released sulphur dioxide, leading to the infamous 'black smoke' and major pollution. The scientist Michael Faraday, among others, was involved in researching ways to reuse sulphur dioxide in the production of sulphuric acid and thus reduce environmental pollution. A decisive meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science took place in Swansea in 1842.

Penderyn owes a unique still technology to a direct descendant of Michael Faraday, Dr David Faraday. The Faraday stills are the heart and unique selling point of the Welsh distillery.

A collaboration of Penderyn with authorities and other supporters

For this project, Penderyn worked with Swansea Council at Swansea University and other supporters including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government Economy and Transport Funding and Welsh Government Targeted Regeneration Investment.

Vaughan Gething, Welsh Government Economy Minister, said, "I'm delighted the Welsh Government has been able to support this development. It's another exciting regeneration project which further develops Swansea as a vibrant city destination. It complements other regeneration projects in the area as well as supporting economic growth and all year-round jobs, which is enabling broader private sector development and investment."

Images: Penderyn Distillery