The boss at Chivas Brothers has given the clearest indication yet that the French-owned company is considering buildign a new distillery to meet global demand.

The Paisley-based firm, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, produce Chivas Regal and The Glenlivet single malt among their portfolio of whiskies and premium gin.

As part of a £40m invetment announced last week, the company intends to expand malt whisky production by up to 25% at their existing sites.

Speaking to the Scotland on Sunday newspaper, chairman and chief exec, Christian Porta, said: “We look at the requirements of our brands over the long term every six to 12 months and, if we see that our brands are continuing to grow, then we will need to think what our next steps are. If we decide to go further, then possibly we would build a new distillery from scratch.

“That’s not a certainty, that’s not a decision we’ve made, but it’s a possibility.”

The expansion includes the re-opening of the moth-balled Glen Keith Distillery. Rival Diageo opened a brand new facility, Roseisle, last year.