Ian Macleod Distillers

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Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd.
Industry Drink industry
Founded1933;91 years ago (1933)
FounderLeonard Russell
Headquarters Broxburn, Scotland, UK
Website www.ianmacleod.com


Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. is an independent, family-owned business which produces Scotch whisky and other spirits, based in Broxburn, Scotland. It was founded by Leonard Russell, Snr. in 1933. [1] They own three single malt whisky distilleries: Glengoyne distillery, Tamdhu distillery, and Rosebank distillery and one gin distillery: Edinburgh Gin. They also produce a number of other distilled spirits including Smokehead Islay whisky.

Contents

The company is a member of the Scotch Whisky Association. [2]

History

Ian Macleod traces its roots to the whisky brokerage founded in October 1933 by Leonard Russell, Snr. [3] The Russell Brokers firm acquired Ian MacLeod & Co., Ltd. in March 1963 followed in May 1963 by the purchase of Isle of Skye Blended Whisky. [4] In March 1968 the King Robert II line of spirits was acquired. [5]

In May 1981 Ian Macleod, in conjunction with J & G Grant, opened Broxburn Bottlers, Ltd. [6]

In September 1990, Ian Macleod acquired London Hill Gin, a brand that dates back to 1785. In May 1996 Watson's Rums were brought on board and in September 1998 Hedges & Butler Blended Scotch and Wincarnis Tonic Wines were added to the portfolio. [7] [5]

The company officially became Ian MacLeod Distillers with the acquisition of the Glengoyne Distillery in April 2003. [8] Glengoyne along with Langs Blended Whisky were purchased from Highland Distillers. [9] In January 2006 Smokehead Islay Whisky was introduced by the company. [4]

In June 2011, Ian Macleod added another mothballed distillery from Highland Distillers Tamdhu Distillery. [10] The brand was re-launched in May 2013 at the Speyside Whisky Festival. [11] In September 2016 Spencerfield Spirits was acquired, bringing Edinburgh Gin, Pig's Nose, Sheep Dip and The Feathery Scotch Whiskies into the fold. [12]

In October 2017, Ian MacLeod bought the trademark for Rosebank Distillery from Diageo and the distillery site from Scottish Canals with the intention of reopening the distillery. [13] In July 2023 production restarted at Rosebank Distillery. [14]

On 6 December 2024, Edinburgh Gin opened a new distillery and visitor centre on East Market Street. [15]

Distilleries

Brands

Core brands

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References

  1. ↑ "The spirits redolent of a past age Old fashioned is way ahead at Peter Russell". The Herald. 25 November 2002.
  2. ↑ "SWA member directory". Scotch Whisky Association.
  3. ↑ Gabanyi, Stefan (1996). Whisk(e)y. Abbeville Press Publishers. p. 289.
  4. 1 2 "Ian Macleod Distillers | Scotch Whisky".
  5. 1 2 "Ian Macleod Distillers".
  6. ↑ "Broxburn Bottlers Limited".
  7. ↑ "Wincarnis".
  8. ↑ "Glengoyne - Scotch malt whisky distillery profile".
  9. ↑ "Lang Brothers | Scotch Whisky".
  10. 1 2 Jackson, Michael (2015). The Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch. Dorling Kidersley Limitied. p. 333.
  11. ↑ "Top 10 spirit launches in May". 10 June 2013.
  12. ↑ "Ian Macleod Distillers purchases Edinburgh Gin". 13 September 2016.
  13. ↑ "Ian Macleod Distillers announce they are set to revive one of Scotland's most famous 'lost' lowland distilleries". 10 October 2017.
  14. ↑ Collins, Georgie (19 July 2023). "Production restarts at Rosebank Distillery". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  15. ↑ https://www.insider.co.uk/news/edinburgh-gin-opens-new-city-34261114
  16. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-37350910
  17. ↑ Gabanyi, Stefan (1996). Whisk(e)y. Abbeville Press Publishers. p. 131.
  18. ↑ Murray, Jim (2015). Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible 2016. Whitman Publishing LLC. p. 187.
  19. ↑ Morton, Andy (15 May 2018). "Ian Macleod targets five-fold Smokehead increase | Beverage Industry News | just-drinks". www.just-drinks.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020.
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