Application is in for new distillery planned for Islay

Another distillery could be on its way to Islay under plans being considered by Argyll and Bute Council’s major applications team.

Speciality Drinks Ltd, represented by Blyth and Blyth Consulting Engineers, wants to build a new distillery on land south and east of Farkin Cottage in Port Ellen.

The planned distillery would also comprise a restaurant, shop and meeting facilities, as well as a new junction with access roads and car park.

According to the council website, a decision from planning officers should be expected by Friday April 17.

In a design and access statement, the project’s consulting engineers said: ‘Our client has always had a passion to create his own whisky.

‘As the place is so important to whisky making, he felt the only place to site the distillery had to be on Islay.

‘After a long search and site purchase negotiations, the site between Port Ellen and Laphroaig was secured.

‘The vision is to establish a completely new contemporary distillery which will incorporate the best of both traditional and new distilling methods to create a whole family of spirits.

‘The new distillery will incorporate a new floor maltings and high-quality visitor experience.

‘The new distillery will also incorporate an experimental pilot plant for other types of whisky and will include facilities for growing botanics.

‘It is envisaged that working at full capacity the malt whisky distillery element will produce up to approximately 1.2 million litres of alcohol (mla) per annum plus a further 0.3 mla of other spirits in a pilot plant.

‘The aim is to commence production in 2021. Scotch whisky distilling is all about the coming together of pure ingredients which seem to encapsulate the character of the place.’