Ardbeg Distillery Appoints Its First Female Distillery Manager In Modern Era

Photo Credit:Bryony McNiven Distillery Manager Ardbeg by Ben Shakespeare

Bryony McNiven follows in the footsteps of historic sisters who ran Ardbeg almost 200 years ago

Ardbeg’s very own Bryony McNiven is to become the Islay malt whisky’s next Distillery Manager – the first woman in the modern age to take command of the stills. An Islay native and the daughter of an Ardbeg stillman, Bryony follows in the footsteps of two legendary sisters who led the Distillery nearly 200 years ago. Having dedicated her entire career to Ardbeg, Bryony has a unique skillset and an unrivalled knowledge of the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay malt whisky. She is the perfect peathead to lead Ardbeg’s production from 1st January 2026.

Established in 1815 on the remote Scottish island of Islay by John Macdougall, Ardbeg has always had a pioneering spirit. By 1853, the Distillery was being run by John’s relations, sisters Margaret and Flora Macdougall, widely believed to be Scotland’s first female distillers. Bryony’s appointment makes her the Distillery’s first in recent times. Meanwhile, in keeping with its trailblazing approach, this month the brand opened Ardbeg House – the first world-class whisky and hospitality experience on the island, dedicated to Ardbeg.

For Bryony, Ardbeg is not just a whisky, but a way of life. She grew up down the road from the Distillery, where her father Ruaraidh MacIntyre was a mainstay of the production team for 35 years before retiring. So before she began studying chemistry at Glasgow University, it seemed only natural that Bryony should take a summer job at Ardbeg. That evolved into a stint as an Ardbeg brand ambassador in Sweden, before six years in Ardbeg’s Whisky Creation Team in Edinburgh alongside Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden and Master Blender Gillian Macdonald.

Bryony returned to Islay in 2018 as Ardbeg’s Visitor Centre Planner, where she has been responsible for organising tours and sharing drams with guests – as well as sitting on the Distillery’s all-important sensory panel which shapes future Ardbeg whiskies. Steeped in the world of Ardbeg, Bryony was the obvious choice to become co-chair of the brand’s loyal following, the Committee, alongside Gillian earlier this year. And, when applications for the role of Distillery Manager came flooding in, Bryony was the standout choice.

Ardbeg President and CEO Caspar MacRae said: “I can’t think of anyone better than Bryony to take on the role of Ardbeg Distillery Manager – surely the peatiest position in single malt. Not only is Bryony an extraordinarily talented whisky expert and a passionate Ardbeggian, but she knows our brand better than almost anyone on the planet. I look forward to working closely with Bryony as we forge a fabulously smoky future for Ardbeg!”

Bryony, who takes over from outgoing Distillery Manager Colin Gordon in the new year, said: “Ardbeg has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m thrilled to be taking the reins at a Distillery which means so much to me and my family. Not only have I got some incredible female role models behind me in Flora and Margaret Macdougall, but I also have a fabulous team to work with. We are already hatching smoky schemes to bring even more exceptional Ardbegs to our fans. Watch this space…”