Speyside distillery Benromach to open new bottling line 15 January 2013 Last updated at 00:19 A whisky firm is to build a new bottling line for its Speyside distillery this year, following a surge in sales. Benromach owners Gordon and MacPhail are investing £540,000 in building works and a new line for the Forres-based distillery. It will be able to handle up to 3,000 bottles of Benromach per hour. Benromach's overall sales soared by 40% in 2012, with strong growth recorded in China, Sweden, the US and France. Sales in the UK increased by 13% during the year. Gordon and MacPhail managing director Michael Urquhart said: "As the smallest distillery in Speyside, Benromach is punching above its weight in terms of sales growth. Benromach's single malts are becoming increasingly popular with people who want a whisky with a distinctive traditional Speyside style. We worked very hard to promote ourselves throughout the UK this year, resulting in a 13% increase in sales.