Suntory Global Spirits has rowed back on plans to build a GBP150m (US$200.2m) whisky maturation site in Scotland, the group confirmed today.
The proposed build, in Kingswell, East Ayrshire, was given the green light by the local council in 2024. The Ardmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch scotch owner told Global Drinks Intel it was “no longer progressing” with the project in the Lowland scotch whisky region and is “redirecting investment” to another local facility.
“Suntory Global Spirits is deeply committed to Scotland and the long-term success of our scotch whisky brands,” a spokesperson said.
“While we are no longer progressing with the Kingswell project, we are redirecting investment to a local maturation facility. Our investment in Scotland will continue as we remain focused on the long-term sustainability of our operations, brands and contribution to the economy.”
The move follows Suntory’s decision last month to reduce production at Bowmore and Laphroaig, consolidating the teams at the two distilleries on the western island of Islay. The group, which is the international spirits arm of Japanese group Suntory Holdings, cited the need to “align production with long-term demand” for the changes.
Over in the US, Suntory paused production at one of the distilleries used to make Jim Beam at the end of last year, for the entirety of 2026. Speaking to Global Drinks Intel earlier this year, CEO Greg Hughes said of the production pause: “The category growth rate at the peak of Covid was very different than it has been coming out of Covid, so we were a little out of balance between our inventory position and demand.
“That’s probably a natural part of the whisk(e)y business.”
