Ian Macleod Distillers began as a whisky brokerage in 1933, founded by Leonard Russell Snr, whose passion and precision set the tone for everything the company does today. As one of Scotland’s most respected independent family firms in the spirits industry, they’ve been blending and bottling for generations, but their journey into distilling began in 2003 with the purchase of Glengoyne, marking a new chapter. This year, Ian Macleod Distillers has secured seventh position in the IWSC Top 50 Producers.
The company crafts award-winning spirits across four unique distilleries: Glengoyne in the Highlands, Tamdhu in Speyside, Rosebank in the Lowlands and Edinburgh Gin in the capital. Each site has its own distinct character, where dedicated teams craft exceptional spirits for brands enjoyed around the world. Beyond the bottle, they work towards net zero, champion circular economy practices, protect water sources and maintain gold standard ‘Green’ Tourism at their brand homes.
What the team loves most is the freedom to explore. As a family-run business, they’re rooted in values and rich history, whilst also driven towards authentic innovation that resonates with today’s drinkers. Recent launches like Glengoyne’s Mizunara Oak release show how they fuse global influences with Scottish craft, whilst reviving Rosebank has been a rare opportunity to bring back to life a legendary distillery with a truly unique spirit, from one Scottish family to another. Smokehead embodies their rebellious edge, Laggan Bay brings fresh energy to Islay and Una marks their step into India. Being independent gives them the flexibility to take bold decisions and shape their future with intent.
Across the portfolio, each brand is built around a distinctive process, story or philosophy. Glengoyne’s time-honoured slow distillation and partnership with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust reflect both their value of history and their commitment to sustainability. Rosebank’s unique combination of triple distillation and worm tub condensers sets it apart in character and complexity. Tamdhu is the only distillery to mature exclusively in 100% sherry oak from start to finish, no shortcuts, just depth and richness. Edinburgh Gin began with a world-class London Dry and went on to lead the flavoured gin revolution, creating one of the most vibrant and varied ranges in the category. They strive to create spirits that stand out, products with stories that spark curiosity and make people want to pick them from the shelf and share the experience.
