Elixir Distillers' Islay distillery, licensed and preparing to open
Portintruan is the first distillery built by Elixir Distillers, the independent bottler behind the Elements of Islay and Port Askaig ranges. After years of selecting and bottling other people's Islay casks, the company set out to make its own spirit on the island's south coast, on a site between Port Ellen and Lagavulin.
Construction was disrupted in 2024 when the original contractor, ISG, entered administration with the buildings only partly complete. Work resumed in February 2025 under Morris & Spottiswood, who took on the fit-out and completion of the production hall and visitor facilities.
In April 2026 the Argyll and Bute licensing board unanimously granted a provisional premises licence for the distillery and its visitor centre, with the operator stating an expected opening during the summer. The distillery describes itself as readying to open rather than in production, and no spirit has yet been publicly confirmed as filled.
Verified against the operator and public records
Two features set Portintruan apart from most modern Scottish distilleries, and together they are unique on Islay: traditional floor maltings paired with direct-fired stills.
Malt made on site
Barley germinated on a malting floor and turned by hand, then kilned over peat. Only Laphroaig, Bowmore and Kilchoman still malt any of their own barley on Islay; Portintruan joins that short list.
Flame under the still
Heating the wash still with a flame rather than internal steam coils raises hot spots in the copper, which distillers associate with a heavier, more caramelised character in the spirit.
Kildalton neighbours
The distillery sits on the same stretch of shoreline as Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg, the traditional home of Islay's most heavily peated whiskies.
Argyll and Bute councillors unanimously approved a provisional premises licence for the distillery and visitor centre, with opening expected that summer.
Morris & Spottiswood took over completion and fit-out of the site.
Work stalled when ISG entered administration, leaving the buildings partly finished.
Elixir Distillers developed the site with the aim of making its own traditionally produced, peated Islay single malt.