Chivas Brothers announces plans for Islay Distillery

Chivas Brothers has announced plans for its first distillery on the Isle of Islay. The new distillery marks the first time Chivas Brothers will introduce an Islay whisky to its Scotch portfolio.

As per the brand’s goals of being carbon neutral in distillation across all of its sites by the end of 2026, the design of the Islay project will be carbon neutral from inception.

The new distillery will be located on the site of Gartbreck Farm, west of Bowmore. Once operational, the production will focus on single malt and the region’s smoky and peated profile.

The land purchase signals the brand’s long-term intent to become a part of the fabric of Islay, in a similar way to its presence in Speyside.

Jean-Etienne Gourgues, chairman and CEO at Chivas Brothers commented: “This is an important new chapter in the Chivas Brothers story. The introduction of an Islay whisky completes our comprehensive and award-winning Scotch portfolio. As a business built on hundreds of years of heritage, it also gives us the opportunity to do something we rarely do, which is to start from scratch.  

“Here on Islay, we can create a blueprint for carbon neutral distilling and continue to usher in this era of sustainable Scotch. We are committed to Scotch, to the Islay community and the landscape that makes it the perfect place to continue our vision to shape the future of whisky.” 

Full plans for the site will be revealed in due course.  

3 October 2023 - Bradley Weir