Aberfeldy Distillery Visitor Centre
In 1850 John Dewar was one of the first distillers to produce and market a "blend" whisky under his own label, John Dewar & Sons of Perth. The firm was very successful, and by 1864 had established 32 agents in 26 countries. The firm set up a new headquarters near to the railway station in Perth and the distillery was established Aberfeldy in 1896, replacing an earlier site in Pitillie Burn. As well as the proximity to the railway, the distillery was also served well for supplies of good water from Pitillie Burn and barley provided by local farms. Although barley is no longer malted at the distillery itself, there remains a close relationship between farming and distilling in the area.
In 1998 John Dewar & Sons Ltd was purchased by Barcardi Ltd. The Edinburgh Consultancy were commissioned to draw up a strategy for the development of the visitor facilities at Aberfeldy Distillery and Simpson & Brown were appointed as architects. The substantial redundant maltings building has been converted into a whisky visitor centre with an emphasis on the history of the firm of Dewars rather than the process of distilling. The main exhibition area recounts a number of "scenes" from Dewar's history and looks forward to the future of the industry. There is an audio-visual theatre, restaurant area and a "Nosing & Tasting Bar" where visitors can taste their own blend.
