Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd is one of the largest and most respected companies in the spirits industry, founded in 1936 by Leonard Russell, the great-grandfather of the current CEO, Ian Macleod. The founder of the company attached great importance to independence and, not giving preference to any of the whisky producers, bought only the brand that met the standards of the company and the requirements of the customers. Success strengthened his convictions, and within a few years the company gained an enviable reputation in the Scotch whisky industry. Today the company owns many brands including: Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Macleod's Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Tamdhu Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky, Lang's Blended Scotch Whisky, Hedges & Butler, King Robert II, London Hill Gin and many others. Ian McLeod produces and sells over 15 million bottles of the drink a year. With a wide range of drinks (along with gin, rum, vodka and premium liqueurs), the company is trying to attract a younger generation to the ranks of whiskey connoisseurs by offering a new range of single malts with a bright modern style. In 2006, the company introduced Smokehead whisky to the market. The idea for the new product arised in the head of CEO Leonard Russell after attending the Islay Whiskey Festival, where he noticed many interested young people among fans of strong smoked whiskies. This is how the new brand, Smokehead (smoky in English) was created.