Planning permission granted for Islay distillery

Independent Scotch whisky bottler The Islay Boys has been granted planning permission to build the island of Islay’s 12th whisky distillery at Glenegedale in Laggan Bay.

The application, approved by Argyll and Bute Council, will allow the firm to advance with plans to build a distillery building to house a traditional, double-distillation Islay whisky.

The Islay Boys, owned by Mackay Smith and Donald MacKenzie, announced a partnership with family-owned Ian Macleod Distillers to help bring the new distillery to fruition. It will be known as Laggan Bay Distillery.

Leonard Russell, chairman of Ian Macleod Distillers, commented: “I have known and worked with the Islay Boys for a long time, and I’m delighted to be able to bring our long experience in creating quality Scotch single malts to the Laggan Bay Distillery project.”

The distillery and brewery site covers two hectares, located opposite Islay’s airport in the centre of the island, and is situated less than a mile from Islay’s longest beach, the Big Strand in Laggan Bay, from which the distillery takes its name.

The Islay Boys’ current range comprises both blended and single malt Scotch whiskies under its Flatnöse, Bårelegs, and Picti brands. It also owns Islay Ales brewery.

In May, Elixir Distillers confirmed its new Islay distillery will be called Portintruan, which is anticipated to start distilling from early 2024.