Islay distillery is set for expansion

A multi-million pound expansion of the Ardbeg distillery is planned.
A multi-million pound expansion of the Ardbeg distillery is planned.

ARDBEG distillery on Islay is set for expansion as part of a multi-million pound investment by owner The Glenmorangie Company.

The project, which is subject to planning permission, will see the construction of a new still house containing two copper stills, taking the distillery’s total to four.

If the plans are approved, work will begin this year with the new still house expected to be completed in 2019.

Marc Hoellinger, chief executive of The Glenmorangie Company, which bought the then closed Ardbeg distillery in 1997, said the expansion will “ensure a steady supply of whisky to meet rising demand” for the Islay single malt.

“We are delighted by Ardbeg’s success since 1997 – and by the growing passion for our whisky from fans around the world,” he said.

“Ardbeg has been distilled on Islay since 1815 and, with a new still house, we will pave the way for future generations of smoky malt whisky lovers to discover the ultimate Islay malt.”