The new manager of the island’s Fynoderee Distillery is moving from the USA to take up his post.

Berle ’Rusty’ Figgins Jnr is the new master distiller and distillery manager.

The company says he will continue with the distillery’s tradition of gin production and take forward an aged spirits programme including the development of the distillery’s expansion into Manx single-malt whisky.

He has been working for XO Alambic, a producer of whisky and brandy in Walla Walla, Washington USA.

Mr Figgins comes from the Washington wine-producing family behind Leonetti, Figgins and Toil Oregon Estates.

He began his career in viticulture and oenology, during which he travelled extensively, making wine in France (Château Palmer), Australia (while attending university) and all across Washington State.

In 2008, he became signatory of the American Single Malt Whisky Commission and winning accolades for his own Scythe & Sheaf single malt whisky.

He co-founded The Ellensburg Distillery, the first in Washington to craft rye and malt whiskies, fine brandy and gin.

During this period, he invented the innovative Figgins Reciprocator Distillation System, a pot-and-column hybrid still.

Ten of these stills are now in use at commercial distilleries across North America.

The 11th unit, currently under construction, is an ’ultra-spec’ model destined for The Fynoderee Distillery this autumn.

Over the past 10 years he has run an educational programme for aspiring craft distillers from his distillery classroom.

Rusty’s arrival will coincide with the opening of the distillery’s new premises in Ramsey where a 2,000-litre Figgins Reciprocator still will sit alongside a 2,000-litre Next Gen IStill and a range of copper-pot alembics.

He said: ’This appointment represents a fabulous opportunity, putting the "icing on the cake" of my professional life.

’Joining a stellar gin producer in its next chapter and leading their entry into Manx malt whisky production is at once ground-breaking and exciting.

’As a proud practitioner of the craft, it has long been an aspiration to go where no-one has gone before, as the distinctive barley grown on the Isle of Man begs to be crafted into malt whisky.’

Fynoderee chief executive Paul Kerruish said: ’It feels like the stars are aligning for Fynoderee.

’Rusty’s desire to relocate to the island just as Fynoderee is gearing up and expanding is serendipitous timing at its best.

’Together we share a kindred spirit for innovative and high-quality premium spirits, and we cannot wait to welcome Rusty and his family to the Isle of Man to take the Fynoderee story into its next exciting chapter.’