New whisky, big expansions, rising stars: Distilleries to watch in 2026

2026 is already well underway and we’ve seen some beautiful whiskies hit the shelves. New distilleries are opening their doors, long‑awaited first releases are arriving, and expansions at major sites are finally complete. These are the distilleries to watch in 2026.

The Scottish Aberargie Distillery might just be the headline act of 2026. After years of patience, the distillery has unveiled its very first single malt, marking the return of a famous name to the whisky world: the Morrison family.

The renowned Morrison whisky family is the force behind Aberargie. Their roots run deep in Scotch whisky. In the past, the family owned Morrison Bowmore Distillers, Auchentoshan, and Glen Garioch. With Aberargie, they’re signaling fresh ambition in the single malt arena, this time with a stronger emphasis on provenance and terroir.

Since Aberargie Distillery was founded in 2017, they’ve deliberately waited until the whisky was truly ready. That patience is paying off: the first release arrives in 2026, a major milestone. Read our Aberargie review here.

Next up is Luss Distillery, arguably one of Scotland’s most promising new arrivals. 2026 is when this project really comes to life, balancing immersive visitor experiences with production. Its location near Loch Lomond makes it an instantly appealing destination.

The distillery isn’t being built just to make whisky: it’s designed to welcome visitors, too. Think tours, tastings, and a contemporary whisky experience. Luss is smartly tapping into the growing whisky tourism market.

Isle of Barra Distillery is one of the most exciting newcomers. It will bring the first whisky distillery to the island of Barra.

The site is still under construction, with whisky production targeted to begin in 2026, most likely late in the year. In the meantime, the team has been releasing blended whiskies as a teaser of what’s to come.

The island’s character plays a central role here. As with other island distilleries, expect a maritime profile shaped by sea, wind, and climate.

The Lerwick Distillery stands out for its Shetland location. As one of Scotland’s northernmost distilleries, it offers a dramatically different setting from the traditional whisky regions. The distillery opened in 2025, but 2026 is the year it really lands on the radar. Visitors can stop by this year while the finishing touches are still being made.

The distillery has already released whiskies, though the first single malt is still maturing. You can, however, sample the intended flavor direction in their NORN whiskies.

Struie Distillery is no longer a vague future plan but a concrete Highland project from the Thompson Brothers of Dornoch. The official project page confirms that the new distillery in Dornoch South will bear the Struie Distillery name. Key permits and archaeological surveys are complete, and construction aims to deliver a site with two warehouses and a visitor centre. Production is slated to begin in 2026.

What defines this new generation is a focus on innovation: local ingredients, experimental production methods, and a modern approach to whisky. That appeal spans both traditional enthusiasts and a younger audience.

You may have heard of The Oxford Artisan Distillery. Sadly, it has closed permanently, though a revival is in the works. Not under that name, but as Fielden Whisky, continuing in Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, the original owner has plans of his own. Under The Oxford Spirits Group, work is underway to redevelop the New Barn Stillhouse. Details are scarce, other than that it will be a whisky operation designed with visitors in mind. The aim is to kick off this coming summer.

Established names aren’t standing still either. The Dalmore Distillery has been around for quite some time and has countless releases to its name—but there’s been significant work here too, in the form of a major expansion.

The project includes a new production facility and a luxury visitor centre. Alongside boosting production, the distillery is investing in a premium visitor experience, yet another reason to keep an eye on The Dalmore in 2026.

Beyond these distilleries, there are plenty more whisky makers worth watching this year. Do you have a distillery that shouldn’t be overlooked in 2026? Tell us in the comments below.