Laggan Bay Distillery: Islay’s Newest
Laggan Bay at a glance
| Region | Islay (Glenegedale) |
| Founded | 2026 |
| Owner | Ian Macleod Distillers & The Islay Boys |
| Visitor centre | Not yet — visitor plans developing |
| Tours | Not yet open to general tours |
| Opening | New-make phase — check for updates |
| Website | ianmacleod.com |
Overview
Laggan Bay, near Glenegedale on Islay, is the island’s newest distillery — opened in 2026, it filled its first cask in April of that year. A partnership between the independent family firm Ian Macleod Distillers and the local “Islay Boys,” it is still in its early new-make phase, with whisky maturing towards its first release.
The history
Laggan Bay grew out of the Islay Boys’ local whisky brand and a partnership with Ian Macleod Distillers (owners of Tamdhu and Glengoyne). Planned from 2022 and opened in 2026, it became Islay’s eleventh working distillery, with a public open day marked for the island’s Fèis Ìle festival.
The water & the land
As a brand-new distillery, Laggan Bay’s production water source is not yet publicly documented; the site uses created wetlands to handle its effluent, a modern, low-impact touch.
Laggan Bay sits at Glenegedale on the same island that was the heart of Clan Donald and the Lordship of the Isles, later the Campbell estate — the deep island history every Islay distillery shares, though this corner has no distinct clan seat of its own.
Visiting
Laggan Bay does not yet run a full public tour programme — it is very new and still finding its feet, with visitor plans developing; watch for open days around Fèis Ìle. Ian Macleod Distillers is the place to follow progress.
Nearby & more whisky
- Its owner’s Speyside distillery: Tamdhu
- Islay — the region overview
- The whole picture: Scotch whisky — the full guide
Sources
- The Spirits Business (2026): “Laggan Bay opens as Islay’s 11th distillery.”
- Whisky Advocate; Ian Macleod Distillers.