IAN MACLEOD Distillers has secured a funding deal worth £80 million, revealing that the finance will be used to underpin its recently-announced acquisition of Falkirk’s historic Rosebank Distillery.

The Broxburn-based distiller, which owns the Glengoyne and Tamdhu single malts, said it will also use the loan package to drive its organic growth ambitions.

The asset finance facility, which has been jointly provided by Bank of Scotland and PNC Business Credit, is secured against the distiller’s whisky stocks. Its most recent accounts show that the value of stock held by the firm stood at £76.5m at September 30, up 14 per cent on the year prior.

As part of its new funding deal Bank of Scotland will provide Ian Macleod, which acquired Edinburgh Gin last year, with day to day banking services, including a £250,000 overdraft facility.

It comes shortly after the distiller announced that it is set to restore production at Rosebank Distillery, which has been silent since 1993.

Ian Macleod has agreed a deal to acquire the stock and trademark from Diageo, while securing a separate agreement to purchase the site from Scottish Canals, subject to planning consent. Rosebank Distillery sits on the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Mike Younger, finance director at Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “Bringing the iconic Rosebank distillery back to life is a big project, and one that we’re incredibly excited about.

“We are very pleased that we now have a funding package which allows us to both rebuild Rosebank and fund the general expansion of the business.

“Asset based lending is ideal for us, as it provides highly flexible funds secured against our appreciating maturing whisky stocks.”