Laggan Bay opens as Islay’s 11th distillery
Ian Macleod Distillers (IMD) has officially opened the Laggan Bay Distillery on Islay, and filled its first cask on 2 April 2026.
Laggan Bay received planning permission in 2022 and provided an update in May 2024.
The opening was subsequently postponed from 2025 to March 2026. However, it still managed to precede Elixir Distillers’ Portintruan Distillery to become the 11th distillery on the island.
On the opening day last Thursday, the first cask was filled by Leonard Russell, managing director of family-owned IMD, along with his son Tom Russell, IMD’s head of international business development, and distillery manager and Islay native Malcolm Rennie.
The distillery is said to emphasise “clarity of spirit and balance of flavour, resulting in a distinctive style within Islay”.
Leonard Russell said: “Filling the first cask at Laggan Bay is an important moment for us as a family business. We have built this distillery with a long‑term vision, knowing the whisky will grow into its own character.
“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.”
Rennie, who has decades of experience in Scotch whisky production, will head up the new distillery. He has assembled a new distilling team on the island, with a mission to create a whisky that represents both the local environment and their intended vision.
Laggan Bay will share details about its style, cask programme, and future releases as the whisky matures.
Rennie added: “Coming home to Islay to help shape Laggan Bay single malt is something I’m proud of. It’s a rare chance to create a new whisky with a strong sense of place, rooted in the character and traditions that define Islay.”
The distillery is named after the windswept coastline of Laggan Bay. Its logo was inspired by bottlenose dolphins, which are frequent visitors to these waters.
The location is said to not only shape the distillery’s character but also emphasise the responsibility that comes with operating in a sensitive coastal environment. The site has a focus on sustainable environmental management, with wetlands to manage liquid waste and support local wildlife.
The business will explore renewable energy solutions in collaboration with other local organisations.
Laggan Bay Distillery also aims to contribute to the Islay community through local employment and ongoing investment.
During this year’s Fèis Ìle festival, the distillery will welcome visitors for a public event, offering an early opportunity to explore the distillery and meet the team on 31 May.
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