Licence granted for new Islay distillery ahead of summer opening

A statement by the applicants prior to the meeting said: “The premises form part of a recently constructed brand new distillery and visitor centre comprising a bar, restaurant, retail shop and other visitor areas. 

“The building is a two-storey commercial premises with public access via the main entrance lobby.

“Inside the premises include a bar and restaurant area providing seated dining and drinking facilities [and] tasting rooms and areas to be used for guided whisky tastings and visitor activities.

“[They also include] A retail shop selling bottled spirits and distillery merchandise and cigars; including a defined area for the display of alcohol for off-sales and a humidor for cigars; circulation spaces including reception, exhibition area and accessible customer toilets [and] designated tour areas forming part of the visitor experience (licensed for consumption only in specified areas defined in the plan – one off moments).

“The premises are intended to operate as a visitor-focused hospitality and retail environment, offering on-sales within the bar/restaurant/tasting areas and off-sales within the retail shop as shown on the layout plan.”