Scotch whisky distillery makes staff redundant amid closure rumours
A Scotch whisky distillery that opened less than 10 years ago has confirmed that staff have been made redundant amid the downturn in the industry.
The family behind Lindores Abbey distillery in Fife have confirmed that staff have been made redundant, as the industry continues to face a downturn.
There were rumours that all staff had been let go and that the business was closing, but these have been quashed as owners confirmed that a “small number of roles” have been made redundant due to operational streamlining. These are in the events side of the business.
A spokesperson said to The Courier that they were aware of recent speculation but this was based on “inaccurate information.” It had been thought that the founders, the Mackenzie Smith’s had left the business, and that its future was in doubt. They confirmed that the distillery restarted production in September 2025 after it was reduced due to lack of demand, and that the visitor centre remains open.
The spokesperson said: “Following a strategic review of the distillery’s operations, a non-core events business was disbanded in summer 2025.
“As part of a broader operational streamlining, a small number of roles will no longer exist.
“Our operational structure has been revised to focus on our core strengths: liquid production, sales, and the visitor centre — a model consistent with our peers across the Scotch whisky industry.
“After a period of reduced production, we are proud to confirm that distillation resumed in September 2025.
“This ensures that the spiritual home of Scotch whisky continues to produce quality spirit and our visitor centre remains open, undergoing exciting strategic development and continues to welcome guests from around the world.
“The business continues to trade as normal and is focused on a strong and sustainable future.”
Lindores Abbey, which opened at the "spiritual home" of Scottish whisky more than 500 years after its first dram was recorded, released its first single malt in 2021.
It is under the ownership of the Mackenzie Smith family, but has overseas investment, including from Spirex Ltd, a holding company jointly owned by Russian national Viacheslav Petr Nazarov and British national Heath Alexander Forusz, which holds a 75% stake in the business.
The news of these job losses comes in the same week that Suntory Global Spirits confirmed that voluntary redundancies were being offered at their Bowmore and Laphroaig sites on Islay, due to production teams being merged.
In January it was reported that Diageo is planning on closing the Clynelish distillery visitor centre in Brora, four years after multimillion pound revamp and with 'undisclosed' job losses.
The whisky industry is struggling due to a slowdown in consumption in certain markets, USA tariffs and a post-pandemic market correction. It was recently reported that one in five Scotch whisky distilleries are facing distress.
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