Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How many ‘new’ distilleries have been founded in Scotland?
Let’s keep it simple and suggest ‘new’ means since the year 2000. Things started off gently, with the - now actually well-established - Kilchoman, Daftmill and Glengyle. Soon followed by mega-plants Ailsa Bay and Roseisle. But it was the 2010s where the new distillery tracker trajectory strapped on a rocket pack and went nuts.
So much so, it would be silly to try to list them all here. But, by my count, we’re already beyond sixty.
With this sort of scale we’ve got to try to break things down, we could do an entire series on all aspects of these ‘new distilleries’, but how about we focus on the best, so far. Measured by their inaugural, or first releases. Because the crazy thing is that more than half of them have already released whisky.
The best of the new distilleries is an interesting list in itself, but with an eye on the distilleries that are planning their first releases or haven’t shared anything with us yet, why don’t we take a look at the first releases and try to fathom whose was best, and why.
Of course, it’ll all just be my opinion and I can only really talk about those that I’ve spent time with. Surprisingly, that does include almost all of them so far, so I do have some thoughts. In fact, if I’m honest, a glance at the whisky shelves today betrays how much I’ve bought. Iit’s really quite surprising how many are from distilleries that didn’t even exist when I first decided I loved whisky.
So, I’ll make mention of all of them, but I’ve put together my own list of the Top 15. I’ll pour one or two, uncork one or two, and give my genuine quick-fire takes on where I think we should focus our energies and funds.
As always, it would be great to welcome you there.
- Share what your favourite inaugural release has been!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening
2:52 - Brief intro to topic
5:58 - Welcoming in The Lounge
14:20 - The Independent Spirits Festival
20:04 - Yet to Release (Feb'26)
22:23 - Released 2000-2026
24:54 - This is not a Top 15 Distillery List
25:55 - Released a little too early?
40:54 - Those I deliberately avoid(?)
50:40 - Those I don't understand(?)
1:04:08 - Edradour #2 'Inaugural'
1:11:00 - Those I missed
1:16:56 - The Top 15 - 11
1:33:04 - The Top 10 - 6
2:03:22 - The Top 5
2:43:51 - Summarising
2:48:54 - Quiz at the End
ISF Latest: independentspirits.co.uk/exhibitors-2026
How many ‘new’ distilleries have been founded in Scotland?
Let’s keep it simple and suggest ‘new’ means since the year 2000. Things started off gently, with the - now actually well-established - Kilchoman, Daftmill and Glengyle. Soon followed by mega-plants Ailsa Bay and Roseisle. But it was the 2010s where the new distillery tracker trajectory strapped on a rocket pack and went nuts.
So much so, it would be silly to try to list them all here. But, by my count, we’re already beyond sixty.
With this sort of scale we’ve got to try to break things down, we could do an entire series on all aspects of these ‘new distilleries’, but how about we focus on the best, so far. Measured by their inaugural, or first releases. Because the crazy thing is that more than half of them have already released whisky.
The best of the new distilleries is an interesting list in itself, but with an eye on the distilleries that are planning their first releases or haven’t shared anything with us yet, why don’t we take a look at the first releases and try to fathom whose was best, and why.
Of course, it’ll all just be my opinion and I can only really talk about those that I’ve spent time with. Surprisingly, that does include almost all of them so far, so I do have some thoughts. In fact, if I’m honest, a glance at the whisky shelves today betrays how much I’ve bought. Iit’s really quite surprising how many are from distilleries that didn’t even exist when I first decided I loved whisky.
So, I’ll make mention of all of them, but I’ve put together my own list of the Top 15. I’ll pour one or two, uncork one or two, and give my genuine quick-fire takes on where I think we should focus our energies and funds.
As always, it would be great to welcome you there.
- Share what your favourite inaugural release has been!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Opening
2:52 - Brief intro to topic
5:58 - Welcoming in The Lounge
14:20 - The Independent Spirits Festival
20:04 - Yet to Release (Feb'26)
22:23 - Released 2000-2026
24:54 - This is not a Top 15 Distillery List
25:55 - Released a little too early?
40:54 - Those I deliberately avoid(?)
50:40 - Those I don't understand(?)
1:04:08 - Edradour #2 'Inaugural'
1:11:00 - Those I missed
1:16:56 - The Top 15 - 11
1:33:04 - The Top 10 - 6
2:03:22 - The Top 5
2:43:51 - Summarising
2:48:54 - Quiz at the End
ISF Latest: independentspirits.co.uk/exhibitors-2026
