Ian Macleod buys Speyside distillery

Ian Macleod Distillers has purchased the Tamdhu distillery in Speyside, from the Edrington Group.

The purchase was concluded on 28 June for an undisclosed sum.

Tamdhu has a distillation capacity of four million litres of alcohol per year and the Tamdhu Single Malt brand was also included in the sale.

Leonard Russell, managing director of Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “Having purchased Glengoyne Distillery from Edrington in 2003, we are delighted to be acquiring a second distillery from them, safe in the knowledge that it has been maintained to a very high standard and comes with a reputation for producing exceptional quality single malt.”

Ian Curle, chief executive of The Edrington Group, said: "From Edrington's perspective, the sale will further de-complex our business, allowing us to continue to focus on the growth of our five key brands, The Famous Grouse, The Macallan, Brugal, Cutty Sark and Highland Park.”

Since purchasing Glengoyne distillery in 2003, Ian Macleod Distillers has more than doubled sales of Glengoyne Single Malt. Ian Macleod has built four additional maturation warehouses, capable of housing up to 5 million litres and has invested in the visitor experience with renovations and improvements increasing visitor numbers to nearly 50,000.

The company is also investing “upwards of £1 million” in marketing the Glengoyne brand in the UK over the next two years.

Ian Macleod Distillers recently announced turnover increase of 22% to £31.9 million in 2010.