Mackmyra Distillery in
Sweden has had a tumultuous period recently, but the storm hasn't fully passed. Following the takeover, the new owner has suddenly
passed away. What does this mean for the future of the
Swedish whisky maker?
FAQ
- Who was the new owner of Mackmyra after bankruptcy?
Lennart Hero, along with Glenn Ström and investment company No. 1 Capital AB.
- Who is leading Mackmyra now that Lennart Hero has passed away?
For now, Glenn Ström and investment company No. 1 Capital AB are taking the reins.
- Will Mackmyra continue to exist?
This is the plan, but there are some challenges.
Owner and saviour of Swedish whisky pioneer Mackmyra passes away
Lennart Hero, the principal owner and saviour of Mackmyra, passed away on 5th July 2025 at the age of 76. He
saved the distillery from bankruptcy and took the helm after filing for bankruptcy.
Hero invested tens of millions of Swedish kronor to save the distillery. Just before his passing, he injected a further 140 million into the business to get it back up and running.
Hero ran the Mackmyra distillery, while he, along with Glenn Ström and investment company No. 1 Capital AB, were in charge.
It remains unclear who will inherit Mackmyra's ownership. Likely, Hero's partner will inherit his share in the distillery, but for now, Ström and the investment company are taking over.
Challenges for Mackmyra
After the bankruptcy of the Swedish whisky maker, there has been a restart, but new challenges have emerged. At present, 14 people are focusing on bottling and ageing the existing whisky.
In the meantime, the equipment needs to be modified and replaced, and the distillery's blender has resigned. The latter has been particularly hard hitting.
Will Mackmyra continue or close down?
The distillery will remain open for now. Considering the recent investments made by, among others, Hero, the future looks promising.
The search for a new master blender has already begun, while operations in Sweden continue. It’s unclear when we can expect a new whisky.