Ian Macleod Distillers has started distillation at its new scotch whisky facility on the western island of Islay.
Nearly two years after outlining its intention to open a distillery on Islay, the family-owned company commenced the barrelling late last week of new-make spirit from the still at the site on Laggan Bay. The namesake distillery, set up in partnership with local bottler The Islay Boys, will “begin the process of building a new Islay single malt whisky”, the company said.
Further information, including the brand name and the distillery’s annual production capacity, were not disclosed – a spokesperson declined to provide details on the latter point when contacted by Global Drinks Intel today – although “details on style, cask programme and future releases will be shared as the whisky develops”.
“We have built this distillery with a long‑term vision, knowing the whisky will grow into its own character,” said company MD Leonard Russell. “We are not here to replicate what Islay already has – we’re here to add to it, with a whisky shaped by its place, our people and the choices we make from the start.”
Earlier this year, Suntory Global Spirits outlined a proposal to consolidate the workforce at its two distilleries on Islay. Citing the need to “align production with long-term demand”, the group engaged with employees at the Bowmore and Laphroaig distilleries in late February, with a view to moving to what it called a “single operations team” across the two sites.
