THE MACHRIHANISH DISTILLERY THE MACHRIHANISH DISTILLERY

R&B Distillers Receives Approval for Campbeltown Distillery and Acquires Majority Stake in Caskshare

Scotch producer R&B Distillers has received planning approval to construct a distillery in Campbeltown and has acquired a majority stake in Caskshare, a notable e-commerce platform.

The newly approved Machrihanish Distillery marks a significant development as the first farm-to-bottle distillery in Campbeltown in over 180 years. This site will encompass a visitor experience, shop, and tasting room, with construction set to commence next year. Machrihanish Distillery will align with R&B’s ethos, focusing on provenance, quality, and community regeneration similar to their Isle of Raasay Distillery. R&B aims to establish a net-zero distillery by eliminating fossil fuel use from the whisky production process through environmentally friendly farming practices, creating up to 20 new jobs in the region.

David Nicol, co-founder of Caskshare; Norman Gillies, operations director of R&B Distillers; William Dobbie, managing director of R&B Distillers; and Alasdair Day, co-founder and master distiller at R&B Distillers. (Photo: R&B Distillers)

William Dobbie, managing director of R&B Distillers, expressed excitement about this milestone, emphasizing its potential to attract visitors and support the local economy, akin to their operations on Raasay.

In addition to the distillery venture, R&B Distillers has acquired a controlling stake in Caskshare.com, an e-commerce platform offering a selection of single cask whiskies, including Scotch, R&B-owned brands, and global whiskies. This acquisition aligns with R&B’s strategic plans to expand Caskshare to include rum and Cognac offerings, targeting European and US markets.

Dobbie emphasized that these developments position R&B on a clear trajectory to become a leading new wave spirits business in Scotland.

R&B Distillers reported revenue of £5 million (US$6.2 million) in 2023 and aims to surpass £25 million (US$31.3 million) in sales over the next decade. The company exports to 40 markets worldwide, with the Isle of Raasay distillery having introduced its debut gin in mid-2019 followed by its inaugural single malt release at the end of 2020.