Plans lodged for carbon neutral distillery on Islay
A planning application for a new whisky distillery on Islay has been submitted, with the aspiration that it be carbon neutral in its operation.
The aim of the distillery, brainchild of islanders Scott McLellan and Bertram Nesselrode, is to provide a long-term and sustainable future for the existing farm; a distillery that will be a credit to Islay; help tourism, employment and the wider economic; and make a whisky that will reach new markets. It has a target capacity of 200,000 litres annually, making it more bespoke.
Under the brand ili, a name based on the oldest form of Islay, it is predicated that the distillery will create 23 jobs, including apprenticeships, providing opportunities for young people on Islay.
The ili team has also been looking at ways
to ensure the local community can directly benefit from the distillery, with a commitment to contribute to a local community fund once it is fully operational.
‘We’re really excited to be bringing forward these proposals to create a bold, new, sustainable distillery on Islay,’ said Mr Nesselrode.
‘The island has a rich heritage of whisky production, and ili would mark a milestone in this heritage – respecting Islay’s legacy while representing something innovative and contemporary.
‘We believe that Gearach Farm, with its rugged landscape, loch, and working traditions would be the ideal place to make this new venture, and importantly we want to ensure that the whole of the island can benefit, through inward investment and job opportunities, along with our community benefit fund.’