Ardbeg unveils multi-million pound plan to double capacity

Ardbeg has revealed plans for a new multi-million still house at its facility in Islay, doubling its production capacity in response to rising demand for its peated single malt whisky.

Funded by a multi-million-pound investment from its parent company, The Glenmorangie Company, the distillery aims to start work on the expansion this year, subject to planning permission, with a planned completion in 2019.

Ardbeg has already received planning permission from Argyll and Bute Council to install a new boiler house, moving the facility a little further away from the distillery. This further expansion will see a new still house built at on a site once occupied by warehouses, and will allow the Scotch producer to double its number of copper stills from two to four, thereby doubling its production capacity.

Ardbeg was acquired and reopened in 1997 by Glenmorangie, which is owned by LVMH.

“We are delighted by Ardbeg’s success since 1997 – and by the growing passion for our whisky from fans around the world,” said Marc Hoellinger, president and CEO of The Glenmorangie Company.

“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.”

Despite the expansion, Ardbeg will remain one of the smallest distilleries on Islay.