Distiller Ian Macleod hikes profits as work on Rosebank revival continues

THE Scotch whisky company that is rebuilding the historic Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk has reported a near-doubling of profits.

Broxburn-based Ian Macleod Distillers, which makes the Glengoyne and Tamdhu single malts, made a profit before tax of £33.5 million in the year ended September 30, accounts newly filed at Companies House show. The distiller had made a profit of £18.7m the year before.

Turnover increased by 30 per cent to £132.2m from £101.7m.

The accounts were published as Ian Macleod continues work on the £12 million restoration of

Rosebank, which has been mothballed since 1993. It is hoped the distillery, which will incorporate a new visitor attraction, will be operational in late summer. Ian Macleod took over the site in 2017.

Writing in the accounts, the directors state: “Trading in cased and bulk goods grew strongly in the year, with growth in bottled single malts and bulk malt whiskies the main cause. Releases of pre-1993 Rosebank and the repacking of Glengoyne helped to improve the bottled single malt result.

“Covid still affected the visitor centres as they experienced long periods of closure. When they were open, the number of visitors they could accept was lower than before. The loss of contribution from the visitor centres was mitigated by a Visitscotland grant and a business interruption insurance claim. Production operations at the distilleries were able to proceed as normal.”

The company highlights in the accounts its progress in building a presence for its Edinburgh Gin brand in the city, on East Market Street next to Waverley Station. It said it hoped to achieve permission to clear the adjacent street to accommodate the site works this month. The company also revealed plans to resume the construction of a new head office building, replacing Russell House. “All these projects will be funded from a combination of profitability and the significant headroom available on the [£100m] asset-based lending facility,” Ian Macleod said.

According to the accounts, the value of stocks held by the distiller increased by 7% or £9m to £137.4m after it “continued to invest in new fill stocks whilst older higher priced malt stocks were sold.”

Ian Macleod has established a subsidiary in Taiwan to improve the management of its malts in the region, revealing that it had broken even within its first six months.