Begbies Traynor secures Eden Mill Distillery sale

Begbies Traynor has helped sell St Andrews-based Eden Mill Distillery out of administration following its appointment as administrator, in a move that saved 42 jobs after the distillery’s parent company entered insolvency.

Joint administrators Kenny Craig and Kevin Mapstone of Begbies Traynor were appointed to St Andrews Brewers Limited on 18 November following restructuring efforts at the business, which had built up significant debt amid pressures in the global whisky sector.

The administrators said an accelerated marketing process had been run in recent weeks to secure a buyer for the distillery and its assets. Ruby Capital has now acquired the business for an undisclosed sum.

The distillery, founded in St Andrews more than a decade ago, has expanded in recent years through whisky and gin production. Its financial difficulties had intensified as the wider sector faced shifting demand and cost pressures.

Begbies Traynor is a leader in restructuring services to the whisky sector in Scotland, having restructured a number of Scottish distilleries and spirit brands in 2025.

The firm said a combination of factors impacted the viability of whisky businesses after a Covid boom in the sector.

The downturn in the global whisky market followed changing consumer behaviours, rising operating costs and overheads, falling export sales and reduced consumer demand for alcohol in general. 

Thomas McKay, managing partner of Begbies Traynor in Scotland, who ran the restructuring activity said: “The whisky sector as a whole continues to have a number of challenges at this time, largely as a result of the ongoing recession in the global whisky market. Eden Mill experienced a drop in sales and delays in the opening of its flagship visitor centre in St Andrews, which took around 12 months longer than expected to open its doors, creating cash flow difficulties for the business.

“With 42 jobs at risk, an accelerated sale took place to preserve value in the business and assets and to restructure the core business. The Eden Mill brands and assets have now been sold to the new owners and all employee jobs have been saved as part of the restructure.”

He added: “Thank you to St Andrews University, the landlords of the business, for their assistance and support during this restructure. We hope people will continue to visit the distillery, buy its products, and support it going forward, as Eden Mill now continues to trade under a new structure and journey into the future with new investment and secure foundations.”