British multinational drinks company, Diageo has started work on a new £6.4m whisky research centre at Menstrie in Clackmannanshire, which will be completed in autumn 2019.
The drinks giant said that the centre of excellence would provide 'world-standard facilities' for its technical teams, and would act as a 'hub for innovation' in spirits and environmental sustainability.
The current technical centre is home to teams who work across Diageo’s leading global brands, including Johnnie Walker, Bell’s, J&B, Smirnoff and Ciroc vodka, Tanqueray and Gordon’s gin, and Captain Morgan rum.
Ewan Andrew, director of Diageo international supply centre, said, 'This investment will create new state-of-the-art facilities for our talented team of whisky specialists and scientists to enhance the industry-leading work they do on growing and protecting our business around the world.'
The project is part of plans recently announced by Diageo to invest £150m over three years in its Scottish operations, which includes upgrading its network of 12 whisky distillery visitor centres.