Isle of Arran Distillers announce new Distillery Manager for Lochranza Distillery

Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd has appointed David Livingstone as the new Distillery Manager at their Lochranza Distillery, with James MacTaggart moving to take on the role of Director of Production & Operations for both Lochranza and Lagg Distilleries.

Following a lengthy recruitment process, Livingstone, who is originally from Islay, will be swapping whisky islands and bringing his experience across to Arran this month.

He has previously worked at Laphroaig Distillery, working his way up to Assistant Manager at the renowned organisation, and has more recently been involved in setting up the production process systems and assisting with the design at Islay’s newest distillery, Ardnahoe, which opened earlier this year.

His involvement in the process gives him the hands-on experience required to oversee day-to-day operations at the Lochranza Distillery, which produces approximately 600,000 litres a year, as well as a full grasp of all the necessary regulations that are required in modern whisky production.

The appointment comes towards the end of a busy year for the island distillers as they opened Lagg Distillery, their second site on the island producing peated spirit, and launched a new look and packaging re-brand across their core range of Arran Single Malts.

New Distillery Manager, Livingstone, said: “It’s an especially exciting time to take on this role at such a remarkable whisky company and I’m very proud to be given the opportunity to look after the future of these great spirits.

“Our range of Arran Single Malts are loved across the world, and my main priority is to ensure that the quality is preserved going forward.

“Being from the islands myself, I recognise how important distilleries are to island communities and that’s something I’ve always been passionate about. The Isle of Arran Distillers is proud to continue to operate as an independently owned distillery that has the local people at its core.”

James MacTaggart, who has been Master Distiller at Isle of Arran Distillers since 2007, will take on a new role as Director of Production & Operations, overseeing both the Lochranza and Lagg Distillery sites.

MacTaggart said: “As the company continues to grow and develop, it’s necessary that we have the best whisky people around us. We’re delighted to have David on board for the next part of our journey and know that we can learn plenty from his wealth of knowledge and experience.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to my new role as Director of Production & Operations and the opportunity to ensure the excellence of our Arran Single Malts is maintained, while introducing people to our new distillery at Lagg and eventually the whisky we’ll produce there.”

For more information about the Isle of Arran Distillers and their range of Arran Single Malts, please visit: www.arranwhisky.com

Notes: 

Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for:

Best New Exporter (2004), Queen’s Award for International Trade (2005), Scottish Distiller of the Year (2007) and Scottish Drinks Producer of the Year (2007) Scottish Field Visitor Experience of the Year 2014 & 2015

Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)

Best Brewery/Distillery Tour – Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards (2017)

Best Visitor Experience – Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (2018)

Product Awards include:

Arran 10 year-old: Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 12 Years & Under, World Whiskies Awards (2019) San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018). Category Winner and Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch Under 12 Years’ Islands Non-Islay at the World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge 91 points (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge Cocktail Commendation for the Rob Roy (2018). Double Gold Medal China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards (2014)

Arran 18 year-old: Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 13 – 20 Years, World Whiskies Awards (2019) International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch 13-20 Years – Islands (Non- Islay) World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018) Scottish Field Whisky Challenge – Gold Award for Best Whisky £50-100 (2018)

Quarter Cask ‘The Bothy’: Best Scotch Island Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards (2019) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ for The Bothy Batch 3 World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)

Arran Lochranza Reserve: International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018), International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)