Ardbeg appoints Bryony McNiven as first female manager in modern times
Ardbeg’s own Bryony McNiven will take charge of the Islay distillery in January 2026, becoming its first female manager in modern times. The chemist and lifelong Ardbeggian says she is “thrilled to be taking the reins” of the world’s peatiest malt.
Speaking to db, Bryony McNiven described how her background in chemistry shapes her approach to whisky making at Ardbeg. “My chemistry background provides a solid foundation for understanding the intricate whisky creation processes and achieving the all-important balance between smoky and fruity flavours that we are famed for,” she said.
That blend of science and imagination, she explained, comes from her time working alongside Dr Bill Lumsden and master blender Gillian Macdonald in Ardbeg’s blending lab. “I learned the very imaginative way they approach whisky creation,” she said. “I am excited to bring these skills to the role and get started.”
McNiven will officially take charge on 1 January 2026, succeeding outgoing distillery manager Colin Gordon.
From the stillroom to the science lab and back again
The daughter of long-time stillman Ruaraidh MacIntyre, she grew up near the distillery. Before studying chemistry at Glasgow University, she worked summers in the visitor centre and later served as an Ardbeg brand ambassador in Sweden.
Her six years with the whisky creation team in Edinburgh confirmed her reputation as both technically gifted and instinctive. Returning home to Islay in 2018, she joined the visitor centre team and became a member of Ardbeg’s sensory panel, helping shape future releases.
Balancing peat and progress
For McNiven, innovation and authenticity belong together. “Ardbeg is more than just a whisky to me, it is a place and distillery I have grown up with,” she said. “Ardbeg has a reputation for pushing what is possible when it comes to smoky flavour, but you can always tell a new creation is an Ardbeg.”
Her focus, she explained, is on keeping that equilibrium between experimentation and heritage. “It is about working with the distillery and whisky creation teams to ensure we create whiskies that excite smoky whisky fans, but also honour our classics and ensure consistency and quality.”
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A new chapter for women in whisky
McNiven’s appointment reconnects Ardbeg with its own history of female leadership. Margaret and Flora Macdougall, sisters who ran the distillery in the mid-19th century, are believed to be Scotland’s first female distillers.
“I am incredibly proud to be the first woman to be Ardbeg’s distillery manager,” McNiven said. “I think the whisky industry and community is becoming much more diverse, both on Islay and beyond.”
Her rise marks another milestone in an industry that continues to evolve toward greater inclusion.
Ardbeg House and the global peat family
This year also saw the opening of Ardbeg House, a new hospitality and whisky experience on Islay. “It offers a world-class whisky and hospitality experience, as well as an extension of the Ardbeg brand,” said McNiven. “It provides visitors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Ardbeg even after they have left the distillery.”
With more than 200,000 Ardbeg Committee members across 140 countries, McNiven sees Ardbeg House as another gathering place for what she calls “like-minded Ardbeggians and smoky whisky fans.”
A vision for the next decade
Asked what Ardbeg might look like ten years into her tenure, McNiven’s answer was thoughtful. “In ten years, I hope Ardbeg will continue to be enjoyed all over the world and known for its exceptional quality and innovation,” she said. “Within the community, I want to strengthen Ardbeg’s role as a positive force, supporting local initiatives and preserving the unique spirit of Islay.”
Her goal, she added, is simple: “To ensure that Ardbeg remains a source of pride for generations to come.”
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