Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. is an independent, family-owned, Scottish concern which produces Scotch whisky and other spirits. Ian MacLeod is based in Broxburn, Scotland. It was founded by Leonard Russell, Snr. in 1933.[1] They own three single malt whisky distilleries: Glengoyne, Tamdhu, and Rosebank. They also produce a number of other distilled spirits including Edinburgh Gin and Smokehead Islay Whisky.
| Industry | Drink industry |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1933 |
| Founder | Leonard Russell |
| Headquarters | Broxburn, Scotland, UK |
| Website | www |
The company is a member of the Scotch Whisky Association.[2]
History
editIan 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 Distillesr, 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 MacLeod bought the trademark for Rosebank Distillery from Diageo and the distillery site from Scottish Canals with the intention of reopening the distillery.[13]
Distilleries
edit- Glengoyne Distillery (founded 1833)[14]
- Tamdhu Distillery (founded 1896)[10]
- Rosebank Distillery (founded 1840)[15]
Brands
editCore brands
editReferences
edit- ^ "The spirits redolent of a past age Old fashioned is way ahead at Peter Russell". The Herald. 25 November 2002.
- ^ "SWA member directory". Scotch Whisky Association.
- ^ Gabanyi, Stefan (1996). Whisk(e)y. Abbeville Press Publishers. p. 289.
- ^ a b "Ian Macleod Distillers | Scotch Whisky".
- ^ a b "Ian Macleod Distillers".
- ^ "Broxburn Bottlers Limited".
- ^ "Wincarnis".
- ^ "Glengoyne - Scotch malt whisky distillery profile".
- ^ "Lang Brothers | Scotch Whisky".
- ^ a b Jackson, Michael (2015). The Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch. Dorling Kidersley Limitied. p. 333.
- ^ "Top 10 spirit launches in May". 10 June 2013.
- ^ "Ian Macleod Distillers purchases Edinburgh Gin". 13 September 2016.
- ^ "Ian Macleod Distillers announce they are set to revive one of Scotland's most famous 'lost' lowland distilleries". 10 October 2017.
- ^ Gabanyi, Stefan (1996). Whisk(e)y. Abbeville Press Publishers. p. 131.
- ^ Murray, Jim (2015). Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible 2016. Whitman Publishing LLC. p. 187.
- ^ 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.