Sweden’s Mackmyra Distillery Files for Bankruptcy

25 years after a group of friends decided to get into the whisky business during an apres-ski hot tub party, Sweden’s Mackmyra Distillery has filed for bankruptcy. The petition was filed today in Gävle District Court, with a trustee to be appointed soon.

In a statement on the Mackmyra web site, chairman Petter Ski said the decision to shut down the distillery was not an easy one.

“It is with great sadness that we must state that it is unfortunately not possible to continue the company’s operations. The company management and board have struggled hard to come to terms with the company profitability and cash flow. Despite the fantastic work of both staff and management, it is still not possible to continue. Since I took over as Chairman of the Board just over a year ago, my focus, together with the newly appointed management and the Board, has been to find a long-term solution for Mackmyra, but I am forced to conclude that time has not been enough. I sincerely hope that the bankruptcy trustee now has the chance to do something constructive with the values in the company and secure the Mackmyra brand and its 25-year history.” 

Mackmyra was known for its unique maturation warehouse in an underground mining cavern, along with its use of juniper and other native woods to smoke its barley.

The company had just announced plans to return to the UK market in a deal with the Summerton Whisky Club. The club’s founder, Daniel Humphrey, expressed his sadness over the bankruptcy. “My thoughts go out to all those employed by Mackmyra as they have been working so hard to turn the brand around and were starting to see the positive results of their efforts,” he said in an email.

This news was first reported by The Spirits Business.

Editor’s note: This story was updated with additional information.