Whisky Focus - Hunter Laing Reveal Plans To Build New Islay Distillery

Independent bottler Hunter Laing has revealed plans to build a new distillery on Islay.

Independent whisky bottler Hunter Laing & Co have submitted an application to Argyll and Bute Council to build a new malt whisky distillery on Islay at Ardnahoe, on the North East coast of the island.

If all goes well with the application which should take 21 days, the time it takes for public consultation, building work should begin on the new £8 million Islay distillery in May 2016.

Hunter Laing & Co was established in 2013 when brothers Stewart and Fred Laing, the owners of Douglas Laing & Co, the successful independent Glasgow Scotch whisky blenders and bottlers announced that they were going their separate ways.

The assets of Douglas Laing & Co were split between the two brothers. Stock, brands and other functions of the business were divided, giving both brothers equal value.

Stewart, under the new company Hunter Laing & Co. retained Old Malt Cask, the Old & Rare Selection, Douglas (of Drumlanrig) range of Single Malts, Douglas Blend, House Of Peers, Sovereign Single Grain and John Player Special blend as well as the bottling facility in East Kilbride.

Given the popularity of the peated Islay style of single malt whisky there is always room for a new distillery on Islay producing this style and I am sure that is the style of whisky which Hunter Laing intend to produce at the yet to be named Islay distillery.

Pending a successful building application and if building work gets underway in May 2016 then production will be due to start by the end of 2017. The building of the distillery will be in two phases, the first phase will establish production and distilling operations, warehousing, a visitors centre complete with tasting room, shop and cafe. Once in production a second building phase will follow to expand distilling operations and further increase warehousing on the site although at this stage I have no information on what the final capacity of the new distillery will be.

While you wait with anticipation for production to start at the new Islay distillery you will find a great range of Hunter Laing independent bottlings available from specialist whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange
 

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