March 8th, 2010
John MacLellan, Distillery Manager of Bunnahabhain, moving to Kilchoman Distillery
John Hansell
This was posted on the Kilchoman Distillery website last week. I’m finally getting around to posting it up here.
Now that Kilchoman has (surprisingly good for its age) legal whisky to sell, the need to expand their operations.
I’m not sure who will replace John at Bunnahabhain.
The press release:
We are delighted to announce that John MacLellan will be joining us as General Manager. John has worked in the whisky industry for over 20 years and for the past 12 years he has been the manager at Bunnahabhain, so brings with him lots of experience. He starts on the 3rd of May and will be responsible for the day to day running of the business, freeing Anthony up to concentrate on developing sales around the world.
Category: Distillery news
Tags: Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman
It’s a bit of a downsize, but with the Bunnahabhain future in doubt (second hand rumors of planning to sell) I can understand the move. Also the atmosphere at Kilchoman is very nice. I think he will miss the view from Bunnahabhain over the Sound of Islay.
They have a fine visitors shop, with excellent food, so that’s a plus.
All the best for John in his new job.
John has been a great ambassador for Bunnahbhain and for Islay so this is a great pick up by Kilchoman – Hope Burn Stewart continues to show confidence in “Bunny” and finds a strong replacement. This week will be our third tour of Bunnahbhain since 2004 but our first of Kilchoman.
Good for Kilchoman but when will Kilchoman malt arrive in the U.S.?
This year, Alex. Check my blog post tomorrow.
[...] are afoot in Islay. Looks like Kilchoman has poached a distillery manager from [...]
As a regular to the beautiful Islay & Jura for 15 years I will be sorry to see John leave Bunnahabhain such a beautiful distillery where I love to sit on the lawn or the Pier as I have done many times having a laugh & a dram with John.However Kilchoman is a fabulous new distillery in a less traveled gorgeous part of Islay where I hope he is happy stirring things up.
Best regards John & Lindy from Andrew & Barbara
Bunnahabhain will definitely seem strange without John, but I understand that he is looking forward to the move so I hope it turns out as he wishes.