WORK to build Princetown’s very own multi-million pound whisky distillery is finally underway.

Plans for the construction of the new £4.5-million distillery was approved in April last year by Dartmoor National Park Authority and received national attention as it was set to become the largest distillery outside of Scotland.

The application by Princetown Distillers Ltd received mixed reactions during the consultation period but those in support highlighted that it would be a positive development for the local economy and that it would create jobs.

The build will not only see a distillery but also a visitor centre, small scale spirit storage, new road access and associated parking and demolition of two industrial units on land west of the public car park on Station Road.

'The Dartmoor Distillery', as it may be called, will produce top quality single malt which will be called ‘The Dartmoor’ — but the public will have to wait four years to sample the ‘Scotch-style’ whisky.

At 1,400 feet above sea level it would be the highest distillery in the UK, which Princetown Distillers Ltd said made it ‘ideal for the production and maturation of whisky’.

Aiming to put England firmly back on the map with whisky production, founder of The Dartmoor® Rowan Maule is putting quality first and wants the new distillery to create the finest single malt whisky, with Dartmoor at its heart.

Mr Maule said: ‘This is an exciting time for whisky and for Dartmoor itself, as the new distillery will provide jobs and create another draw for tourists to this naturally beautiful part of the world.

‘We chose Princetown as it provides similar conditions to the Highlands, mainly cool all year round, and is ideal for whisky production.

‘The distillery will be an economic asset for the area and we’ve chosen a classic design which blends naturally into Dartmoor National Park.

‘The whisky will be Highland inspired single-malts and our goal is to make a fruity, light and flavourful whisky that is not too sweet.

‘We will also make a small proportion of peated whisky using our own Dartmoor peat saved from our three-acre site.

‘The Dartmoor climate will have a large influence upon the flavours of our whisky. The taste will be familiar to Highland Scotch lovers because it will be matured in a similar environment and on analysis Princetown presents a premium environment for the production of quality whisky.’

The distillery build is now fully underway and the sloping field is being levelled on the site overlooking the moor, close to the Old Duchy Hotel.

Much of the equipment has now been delivered in readiness for distilling.

It’s anticipated the new distillery, with its associated tourism offerings, will give a significant boost to Dartmoor National Park and Princetown in particular.