Trying to figure out who owns what in the Scotch whisky industry can be something of a challenge. But despite decades of consolidation, there are still a handful of Scottish distilleries that are independently owned.
For these purposes, we’re identifying “independently owned” distilleries as companies that own just one production distillery in Scotland, and don’t have a significant footprint anywhere else. There aren’t a lot of them, but they’re an interesting group, including some of Scotland’s newest distilleries (Ardmanurchan, Kilchoman, Daftmill), and some of its smallest (Edrdour, Loch Ewe):
- Ardmanurchan
- Edradour
- Daftmill
- Isle of Arran
- Glenfarclas
- Loch Ewe (one of the strangest little distilleries in Scotland)
- Kilchoman
- Abhainn Dearg
- Bladnoch
- The Speyside Distillery
Beyond these, there are a handful of drinks groups that own a very few Scottish distilleries—say two or fewer—that I’d argue qualify as “independently owned,”especially when compared to the big boys like Diageo. This, of course, is where things get a little fuzzy, because Gruppo Campari (Glen Grant), LVMH (Argbeg and Glenmorangie), Nikka (Ben Nevis), and Remy Cointreau (Bruichladdich) all fall into this group, and I think I’d have a tough time telling somebody with a straight face that they should be counted among the “independently owned.” In any case, here are the other small(ish) players in the industry:
Angus Dundee: Owners of Tomintoul and Glencadam
J&A Mitchell: The owners of Springbank Distillery (which has three brands: Springbank, Hazelburn, and Longrow) recently acquired the Glengyle distillery, also in Campbelltown, which produces whisky under the Kilkerran brand.
Benromach: It’s the only distillery owned by Gordon & MacPhail, a venerable family-owned indie bottler.
Ian MacLeod Distillers: Owns Glengoyne and Tamdhu, ans sells a number of other blended whisky brands as well as gin, rum, and vodka
Am we missing any? Leave ‘em in the comments, and we’ll update the list!
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