Ian Macleod & Company Limited was established on 26 October 1933. Ian Macleod & Co Ltd changed its name to its current name, Ian Macleod Distillers Limited in April 2003. The Chieftain's collection hallmark is that each bottling must be fit for a King, a Leader or in the Celtic world, a Chieftain. Macleod Distillers own three single malt whisky distilleries: Glengoyne distillery, Tamdhu distillery, and Rosebank distillery and one gin distillery - Edinburgh Gin.
The company officially became Ian MacLeod Distillers with the acquisition of the Glengoyne Distillery in April 2003. Glengoyne along with Langs Blended Whisky were purchased from Highland Distillers. In January 2006 Smokehead Islay Whisky was introduced by the company.