18th August, 2015 by Amy Hopkins

Burn Stewart Distillers’ former master blender Ian Macmillan has joined the Bladnoch Distillery as master distiller, heading efforts to restart production at the historic site.

Macmillan, who was also head of distilleries for Burn Stewart and has worked in the Scotch whisky industry for 40 years, will officially join the distillery in October 2015.

It was revealed last month that the 200-year-old Bladnoch Distillery was set to restart production after lying dormant for six years.

The site was acquired by Australian businessman David Prior, who later hired Gavin Hewitt, former chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), as non-executive director.

“I am delighted that such a well-known master distiller and blender as Ian Macmillan will join the Bladnoch team in the early autumn,” said Prior. “His experience and expertise will ensure we create the finest Scotch whiskies as we restart distilling at Bladnoch and develop our brand strategy and marketing.”

In March last year, Bladnoch closed until further notice after its parent company, Northern Ireland-based Co-ordinated Development Services, went into liquidation. It had not produced whisky for six years previous.

“I am very excited to be joining Bladnoch and eager to get started,” said Macmillan. “I look forward to meeting the challenges of getting Bladnoch back into production.

“There is a tremendous opportunity to create one of the very best single malt Scotch whiskies for passionate consumers of Scotch worldwide, and to develop the range of Bladnoch bottlings and other Scotch whisky brands.”

Bladnoch Distillery was first established in 1817 and is situated on the banks of the River Bladnoch. It is thought to be Scotland’s most southerly distillery.