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The region’s first whisky distillery for more than 100 years has opened its doors to the public and rated the first batch as “phenomenal”.

Aber Falls Distillery is producing Welsh whisky from its 6,000 sq ft distillery site in Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd.

It is using water from Afon Rhaeadr Fawr (Aber Falls River) and Welsh malted barley and tonight bosses threw open the doors to the local community.

Managing director James Wright said he has tasted the first whisky to be barrelled, with the maiden batches to be released in 2020.

It will be the first major North Wales whisky distillery since Frongoch near Bala, which was liquidated in 1900.

He said: “There has not been a whisky distillery in North Wales for 100 years and we will be here for 100 years so we want to open up to the community and show them what we are doing.

“The early signs are really positive. We took the first draw off a barrel after a month and it was phenomenal. It has exceeded my expectations.

“This is made with Welsh water from Aber falls, and Welsh barley, and we are working towards everything we do to be local.

“We want 100% Welsh ingredients, distilled in Wales by Welsh workers. That is important to us and what we are trying to do.”

Aber Falls launched its first gins from the site shortly before Christmas.

Mr Wright added: “The sales of the gin are also ahead of expectation. We expected to be jogging but instead we are sprinting. We are now close to deals with major retailers.”

The company is waiting for planning permission for a major visitor centre but will open a temporary site in the next few weeks.

Tonight they invited dozens of people from the local community to the site for a drinks reception and tour of the distillery.