In this section the hope is to build on a skeleton of brief details of Scottish distilleries from the last fifty years so a comprehensive reference is available detailing the story of each distillery. With such a large body of information errors are difficult to totally avoid especally when details can change due to alterations. I will endevour to check and re-check validity but this on-going task cannot hope to be up-to-the minute accurate. Please advise if you know of inaccuracies. Lets start with the bones:-
Aberfeldy Southern Highland
Owner : John Dewar & Sons Ltd, Bacardi (since 1998)
Established : 1896
Capacity : 2ML
Wash stills 2 : 17,000 L
Spirit stills 2 : 14,000 L
Notes; Stills were increased from two to six in 1972-73 in an extended still room. Floor maltings stopped in 1972.
Aberlour Speyside
Owner : Campbell Distillers Ltd., Pernod-Ricard
Established : 1826
Capacity : 3.5ML
Wash stills 2 : 21,120 L
Spirit stills 2 : 5,455 L (charge)
Notes; The current distillery stands on a different site to the original and dates from 1878. A Charles Doig distillery. About 50% of production goes for single malt.
Abhainn Dearg Isle of Lewis
Owner : Mark Tayburn
Established : September 2008
Capacity : 20 000 litres
Wash still 1 : 2,112 L
Spirit still 1 : 2,057 L
Notes; Worm tubs.
Ailsa Bay Lowland
Owner : William Grant & Sons
Established : 2007
Capacity : 6ML
Wash stills 4 : size not known
Spirit stills 4 : size not known
Notes; There does not seem to be any intention to release the make as a single.
Allt-A-Bhainne Speyside
Owner : Chivas Btothers Ltd., Groupe Pernod Ricard
Established : 1975
Capacity : 4.5ML (?)
Wash stills : 2 size not known, ascending lyne arm
Spirit stills : 2 size not known, tall parallel neck
Notes; Yet to be bottled by the proprietor. Closed late 2002 until May 2005. Highly automated. No warehousing on site.
Ardbeg Islay
Established : 1815
Owner : Glenmorangie/Luis Vuitton Moet Hennessey
Capacity : 0.95ML
Wash stills 1 : 18,279L
Spirit stills 1 : 16,957L
Notes; A low peating version called Kildalton was produced in 1979/81. Silent 1981-89 and 07/96-06/97. During 1990-96 only operated at a third of capacity. Floor maltings ceased 1977. Lyne arms slighlty ascend with the spirit still’s having a purifier. Almost 100% sent for single malt. ppm average 54 (malt) 24-26 (new make)
Ardmore Speyside
Owner : Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Fortune Brands since 26.07.05
Established : 1897
Capacity : 3ML
Wash stills 4 : 15,000 L
Spirit stills 4 : 15,000 L
Notes; Stills were increased from two to four in 1955 then eight in 1974. Saladin box maltings were used on site until late 70s. 40 weeks of the year peated malt (10-15 ppm) is used with unpeated for 12. Stills were heated by steam and open coal fire until April 2001 when direct firing was discontinued.
Arran Island
Owner : Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd
Established : 11.11.91 operations started 29.06.95
Capacity : 0.75 ML
Wash still 1 : 7100 L
Spirit still 1 : 4300 L
Auchentoshan Lowland
Owner : Suntory Ltd
Established : 1817
Capacity : 1.8 ML
Wash still 1 : 17 300 L (charge)
Intermediate still 1 : 8 000 L (charge)
Spirit still 1 : 11 000 L – 12 000 L (charge)
Notes; Triple distillation. Rebuilt 1948. Non peated. New make at 82%.
Auchroisk Speyside
Owner : Justerini & Brooks, UDV, Diageo
Established : 1974
Capacity : 3 ML
Wash stills 4 : 12,700 L (charge)
Spirit stills 4 : 7,900 L (charge)
Notes; The bottled malt was known as ‘Singleton’ until early 2000s. Storage on site stretches to over a quarter of a million casks from other distilleries as well as own.
Aultmore Speyside
Owner : John Dewar & Sons, Bacardi Corporation
Established : 1895
Capacity : 2.2 ML
Wash stills 2 : 15,000 L (charge)
Spirit stills 2 : 15,500 L (charge)
Notes; Stills doubled from two in 1971 during a rebuild.
Balblair North Highland
Owner : Inver House Distillers Ltd., Pacific Spirits
Established : 1790
Capacity : 1.3 ML
Wash still 1 : 19,093 L
Spirit stills 2 : (older currently unused) 11 100 L
Notes; Current buildings date from 1890s. Closed 1911 re-opened 1948. Stills increased from two to three in 1964. Floor maltings were used until the early 1970s. Has the longest dunnage warehouse in Scotland.
Balmenach Speyside
Owner : Inver House Distillers, Pacific Spirits
Established : 1824
Output : 2 ML
Wash stills 3 : reflux bowls
Spirit stills 3 : reflux bowls
Notes; Two stills added in 1962 to make six. Mothballed 06.93 – 12.97.
Balvenie Speyside
Owner : William Grant & Sons
Established : 1892
Output : 5ML (2005)
Wash stills 4 : reflux bowls – charge – 2 at 12,729 L and 2 at 9,092 L
Spirit stills 5 : reflux bowls 12,729 L
Notes; Stills increased from two to four in 1957, six in 1965 then seven in 1971. About 10% of barley is malted on site.
Banff Eastern Highland
Established : 1863 (closed 31.05.83, now demolished)
Owner : Diageo
Notes; Only one limited contemporary bottling issued.
Ben Nevis (malt) West Highland
Owner : Nikka Whisky Distilling Co.
Established : 1825
Output : 2 ML
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2
Notes; Both malt and grain whisky was produced here from 1955-1981. Mothballed for 6 years in late 1970s, 1984 and 1986-89.
Ben Nevis (grain) West Highland
Owner : Nikka Whisky Distilling Company
Established : 1825 (malt only)
Still : Coffey
Notes; Grain was produced from 1955 to 1981.
Benriach Speyside
Owner : P R Brands
Established : 1898
Output : 2ML capacity
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2
Notes; A Charles Doig distillery. Mothballed 1900-65 although the floor maltings were still used. Stills doubled from one pair in 1985. Re-opened 19.09.2004 under new ownership after 2 years mothballing. Maltings closed 1999.
The story of Benriach starts with John Duff. In 1876 he, with two partners, established Glenlossie distillery just south of Elgin. Previously he had held the position of manager at Glendronach distillery then briefly took a break from the industry before embarking on the Glenlossie project. After 12 years at Glenlossie he tried his luck distilling in South Africa. Not finding success he then moved on to America. However it took a return to Scotland, at the age of 50, before things started going right again. After some time as manager at Aberdeen’s Bon Accord distillery he, again with partners, opened a new still, Longmorn, similarly a few miles south of Elgin. It did not take to long before success enabled him to first buy out his partners then construct his next, and last, distillery- Benriach in 1897.
To be continued…
Benrinnes Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1826
Output : 1.6ML
Wash stills 2 : 22,935L
Low wine stills 2 : 6,354L
Spirit stills 2 : 9,292L
Notes; The original distillery was washed away in a flood in 1929. The present site was established in 1835. Modernised in 1955. Stills increased from 3 to 6 in 1966. Floor malting stopped in 1964 when a Saladin box malting was installed which operated until 1984. Partial double partial triple distillation since 1956. Worm tubs.
Benromach Speyside
Owner : Gordon and MacPhail
Established : 1898 (first production 1900)
Output N/K
Wash stills 1 : 7,500L (charge)
Spirit stills 1 : reflux bowl 5,000L (charge)
Notes; Smallest distillery on Speyside. The first distillery to install direct oil firing of stills. Silent 1900-07 as well as other periods. Closed 24/03/83 re-opened 03/08/98. The distillery was totally re-equipped before it’s most recent re-openeing.
Ben Wyvis Northern Highland
Owner : Whyte & Mackay
Established : 09.06.65
Output N/K
Wash stills 1 : 10 KL
Spirit stills 1 : 10 KL (water jacket)
Notes; Was located inside the Invergordon grain distillry. Closed 24.11.76. The stills are now used at Glen Gyle distillery although they have been reshaped.
Bladnoch Lowland
Owner : Raymond Armstrong since 1994
Established : 1814
Output : 0.1ML (1993 output 1.3ML)
Wash stills 1 : reflux bowls 13 500L
Spirit stills 1 : reflux bowl 10 000L
Notes; Mothballed 1938-56. Stills shipped to Sweden for use producing Swedish whisky. Mothballed 11.93-12.2000. Stills doubled from two in 1966.
Blair Athol Southern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1798 (licensed from 1825)
Output : 1ML
Wash stills 2 : 13 000L (charge)
Spirit stills 2 : 11 500L (charge)
Notes; Stills increased from2 to 4 in 1973. Closed from 1932-49.
Bowmore Islay
Established : 1779
Owner : Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd., Suntory (Japan)
Output : 1.7ML
Wash stills 2 : 30,940L
Spirit stills 1 : 14,750L, 1 : 14,637L
Notes; 45% of malt prepared on site. Almost all goes for single malt. The spirit stills have ascending lyne arms. ppm 20-25 (malt) (new make) 8-10.
Braes of Glenlivet/Braeval Speyside
Owner : Chivas Brothers, Pernod-Ricard since Dec. 2000
Established : 1973
Output : 3.8ML
Wash stills 4 : total capacity 44,000L
Spirit stills 4 : reflux bowls total 10,000L
Notes; 1,165 feet above sea level makes it the highest in Scotland. Called ‘Braes of Glenlivet’ until 1995. Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1975 then 8 in 1978. All stills have ascending lyne arms.
Brora Northern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1819
Wash still : one reflux bowl
Spirit still : one reflux bowl
Notes; Known as Clynelish until 1969 when a tandem distillery was built adjacent. The two were known as Clynelish A and Clynelish B until the new distillery kept the name Clynelish and the original was renamed Brora. Closed early 1983. Also mothballed 1968-69. Between 1969 and 1983 the malt’s ppm was increased from 7 to 40 to mimic an Islay whisky’s smokiness as the company’s Islay distillery Caol Ila was out of production.
Bruichladdich Islay
Established : 1881
Owner : Bruichladdich Distillers Ltd., Murray McDavid Ltd.
Output : 0.32ML
Wash stills 2 : 17,275L
Spirit stills 2 : 12,274L
Notes; Number of stills doubled in 1975. Shut 1995-2000. Bottling on site since 2001. Casks filled at full spirit strength, (70%). Almost all production goes to single malt. ppm 3-4 (malt) (new make), Port Charlotte 40 (malt) 20-25 (new make), Octomore 80.5 (2002)129 (2003) (malt) 29.6 (2002) 46.4 (2003) (new make)
Bunnahabhain Islay
Established : 1881
Owner : Burn Stewart Distillers
Output : 1ML
Wash stills 2 : 35,386L
Spirit stills 2 : 15,546L
Notes; Number of stills doubled in 1963. Only 5% used for single malt. ppm 1-2 also 38 (malt).
Caledonian Lowland grain
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1855
Output N/K
Stills N/K
Notes; Closed in 1988. Partially demolished in 1997. Some listed buildings including a chimney remain. At one point this was the second largest distillery in the UK.
Cambus Lowlands grain
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1813
Output : N/K
Stills : continous stills
Notes; Also known as Tulibody. In 1877 it was a founder member of DCL. Mothballed 1914-38. Rebuilt 1937. Closed 14.09.93
Cameron Bridge Lowlands grain
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1824
Output : 70ML
Stills : continous
Notes; First distillery to produce grain whisky. Stein’s continuous stills installed 12.05.1830. A founder member of DCL in 1877. Mothballed 1941-47. 25 ML of grain neutral spirit is also produced for gin and vodka . Other neutral spirit based products are also made.
Caol Ila Islay
Established : 1846
Owner Diageo
Output : 3.5ML
Wash stills 3 : 35,345L
Spirit stills 3 : 29,549L
Notes; All stock matured in Fife. Rebuilt 1972-74: stills increased by 2. ppm 30-35 (malt) 12-13 (new make)
Caperdonich Speyside
Owner : Chivas Brothers Ltd. Groupe Pernod Ricard
Established : 1898
Output : N/K
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2
Notes; Mothballed since August 2002. Rebuilt in 1965 after being mothballed since 1902. Stills doubled to 4 in 1967. Currently being demolished (2010).
Cardhu Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1824 (illict production predates this)
Output : 1.9 ML
Wash stills 3
Spirit stills 3
Notes; Stills increased from 4 to 6 in the 1960s. About one third of production is destined for single malt.
Carsebridge Lowland grain
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1799
Output : N/K
Stills : 3 Coffey stills
Notes; Closed 1983. One of the founding members of DCL.
Clynelish Northern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : August 1967
Output : 3.5ML
Wash stills 3 : 25 000 L (reflux bowls)
Spirit stills 3 : 26 241 L (reflux bowls)
Notes; From 1967 to 1969 both the new and original Clynelish distilleries (established 1819) shared the name. Come 1969 the original was renamed Brora. The spirit stills are unusually larger than the wash stills.
Coleburn Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1897
Output : N/K
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2
Notes; Closed in 1985
Convalmore Speyside
Owner : Diageo (William Grant own the building)
Established 1893
Output : N/K
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2
Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1964-65. Closed in 1985.
Cragganmore Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1869
Output : 1.2 ML
Wash stills 2 : 17,450 L
Spirit stills 2 : 13,200 L (reflux bowls)
Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1964. Worm tubs. About one third of production is used as single malt.
Craigellachie Speyside
Owner : John Dewar & Sons Ltd., Bacardi
Established : 1891
Output : 2.8ML
Wash stills 2 : total capacity 56 370 L
Spirit stills 2 : total capacity 56 370 L
Notes; Reconstructed in 1965-66 including a doubling of stills from 2 to 4.
Daftmill Lowlands
Owner : Cuthbert family
Established : December 2005
Output 20 KL (2006)
Wash stills 1 : 3 000 L
Spirit stills 1 : 2 000 L
Notes; There is yet to be any bottling released or proposed.
Dailuaine Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1851
Output : 2.5 ML
Wash stills 3 : 32,000 L charge
Spirit stills 3 : 32,000 L charge
Notes; Was home to the first pagoda roof. Floor maltings were replaced by Saladin box maltings in 1959-60. On site malting stopped in 1983.
Dallas Dhu Speyside
Owner : Historic Scotland
Established : 1898
Output : N/K
Wash stills 1 : 6,377 L
Spirit stills 1 : 5,623 L
Notes; Run as a museum. Closed 1983. Worm tubs.
Dalmore Northern Highland
Owner : Whyte & Mackay
Established : 1839
Output : 3ML
Wash stills 4 : 3 at 13,411 L and 1 at 30 KL
Spirit stills 4 : 3 at 8 865 L & 1 at 19 548 L, reflux bowls and water jackets
Notes; Stills doubled from 4 to 8 in 1966. Saladin box maltings from 1956-81.
Dalwhinnie Central Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established 1897
Output : 1.3ML
Wash stills 1 : 17 KL charge
Spirit stills 1 : 16 KL charge
Notes; Worm tubs. In 1905 became the first Scottish distillery to be owned by an American company. 10% used for single malt.
Deanston Northern Highland
Owner : Burn Stewart distillers, C L Financial Limited
Established : 1965
Output : 3ML
Wash stills 2 : 10 KL reflux bowls
Spirit stills 2 : 8,500 L reflux bowls
Notes; Mothballed 1982 to 1991.
Dufftown Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1895
output : 3.5ML
Wash stills 3 : 19,775 L
Spirit stills 3 : 24,080 L
Notes; Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1968, 6 in 1974 then 8 in 1979.
Dumbarton Lowland grain
Owner : Groupe Perno-Ricard
Established : 1938
Output : N/K
Stills : continuous
Notes; Closed 2002. At one time the largest distillery in Scotland. Contained an area for pot still distillation for production of Lomond and Inverleven malts.
Edradour Southern Highland
Owner : Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Co. Ltd.
Established : 1825
Output : 90 KL
Wash stills 1 : 4,218 L
Spirit stills 1 : 2,179 L
Notes; Spirit still lyne arm has purifier. Worm tub. 95% of make goes for single malt.
Fettercairn Eastern Highland
Owner : Whyte & Mackay
Established : 1824
output : 1.5ML
Wash stills 2 : 13 KL charge
Spirit stills 2 : 11.5 and 13.5 KL water cooling jacket
Notes; Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1966.
Garnheath Lowland grain
Owner : Inver House Distillers Ltd.
Established : 1964
output : N/K
Notes; Closed July 1986. Demolished 1988. Own cooperage, blending, bottling and maltings.
Girvan Lowland grain
Owner : William Grant & Sons Ltd
Established : 1963
Output : 75ML
Notes; Was home to Ladyburn malt, now includes Aisla Bay malt facility.
Glen Albyn Northern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1846
Output : N/K
Wash stills : N/K
Spirit stills :N/K
Notes; Closed in 1983, demolished 1986.
Glenallachie-Glenlivet Speyside
Owner : Campbell distillers, Chivas Brothers Ltd., Groupe Pernod Ricard
Established : 1967
Output : 3ML
Wash stills : 2
Spirit stills : 2
Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1989. Closed 1985-89.
Glenburgie Speyside
Owner : Pernod Ricard
Established 1829 (1810 sometimes quoted)
output : N/K
Wash stills 2: 18KL
Spirit stills 2
Notes; This was the architect Charles Doig’s first distillery. From 1958-1981 ‘Glencraig” was produced in 2 Lomond stills. Not operating 2000 -02/04. Floor maltings stopped 1958.
Glencadam Eastern Highland
Owner : Angus Dundee PLC
Established : 1825
output : N/K
Wash stills 1 : 14KL
Spirit stills 1 : 14KL
Notes; Silent 09/2000 to 05/2003.
Glendronach Speyside
Owner : Groupe Pernod Ricard
Established : 1826
Output : 0.3ML (1993)
Wash stills 2 : reflux bowls with steeply descending lyne arms
Spirit stills 2 : reflux bowls descending lyne arm not as steep as spirit stills’
Notes; Stills were doubled to 4 in 1966/67. Mothballed 1996 to April 2001. Both floor malting (15% of requirement) and traditional coal firing of stills were until recently practised.
Glendullan Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1897 (original distillery)
Output : 1.7ML
Wash stills 3 : 13.8KL
Spirit stills 3
Notes; In 1972 a new distillery was built next to the original. The first distillery closed in 1985.
Glen Elgin Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1898, first production 01/05 1900
Output : 1.8ML
Wash stills 3 : 11KL
Spirit stills 3 : 11.7KL
Notes; The last distillery to be built before the Victorian whisky collapse, the next Speyside distillery was built 50 years later. A Doig distillery. The two stills were increased to 6 in 1964. Mothballed from 1992 to September 1995. Wormtubs.
Glenesk Eastern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1897
Output : N/K
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2
Notes; Closed. Formerly known as Hillside. From 1938 until WWII and 1954 to 1964 grain whisky was produced under the name ‘Montrose’. Malting is still carried out on site.
Glenfarclas Speyside
Owner : J. & G. Grant International
Established : 1836
Output : 3ML
Wash stills 3 : reflux bowls 25,000L
Spirit stills 3 : reflux bowls 21,000L
Notes; In the same independent family hands since 1865. Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1960 then 6 in 1976. Floor maltings shut in 1972. Direct gas flame fired with rummagers. Largest stills in Speyside. Preferrence for sherry cask maturation. 50% of stock is used as single malt.
Glenfiddich Speyside
Owner : William Grant & Sons Ltd.
Established : 1886 first production 25/12/1987
Output : 10ML
Wash stills 10 : 9.1KL descending lyne arm
Spirit stills 19 : 4.55KL reflux bowls
Notes; The first distillery to welcome visitors, 1969. Family owned from establishment. Some of the stills were direct fired by coal until recently, they are all now direct fired by gas. Warehousing for 800 000 casks on site.
Glen Garioch Eastern Highland
Owner : Suntory
Established : 1785 (accepted but not proven date)
Output : 0.35KL (2004 figures)
Wash stills 1 : 25KL open gas fired
Spirit stills 1 : 14KL
Notes; Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1973 but currently operating only 2. Mothballed 1995 to August 1997. Until stopping on site malting in 1993 half of barley requirement was floor malted at the distillery.
Glenglassaugh Speyside
Owner : Scaent Group
Established : 1875
Output : N/K
Wash stills 1 : 12,729 L reflux bowl
Spirit stills 1 : 17,184 L reflux bowl
Notes; Mothballed 1907 – 1931 and 1936 – 1960. closed Nov. 1986. Re-opened 2009.
Glengoyne Southern Highland
Owner : Ian MacLeod & Co.
Established : 1833
Output : 0.7ML (2004) capacity 1.2ML
Wash stills 1 : reflux bowl 16,520L
Spirit stills 2 : reflux bowls 5,000L
Notes; Stills increased from two to three in 1966-67. Non-peated malt used.
Glen Grant Speyside
Owner : Campari
Established : 1860
Output : 5ML
Wash stills 4 : 22,730L cylindrical bowls and a purifier on the descending lyne arm
Spirit stills 4 : 11,547L cylindrical bowls and a purifier as well as descending lyne arm
Notes; The first of the Rothes distilleries. The stills were increased from 4 to 6 in 1973 then to 10 in 1977.
Glen Gyle Campbeltown
Owner : Mitchell’s Glengyle Ltd
Established : 1872
Output : N /K
Wash stills 1 : 18KL
Spirit stills 1 : 15KL
Notes; Closed in 1925. Production restarted 25/3/04. Stills are from the decommissioned Ben Wyvis distillery. Malt is produced at Springbank distillery.
Glen Keith-Glenlivet Speyside
Owner : Pernod Ricard
Established : 1957
Output : N/K
Wash stills 3
Spirit stills 3
Notes; Mothballed. Stills increased from 3 to 5 in1970, then 6 in 1983. The first use of microprocessors in whisky production was here in 1980. There has been no production since 1999. Triple distillation stopped in 1970. The first gas firing of Scottish stills was introduced here in September 1970.
Glenkinchie Lowland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1837
Output : 1.6 ML
Wash stills 1 : 30,963L
Spirit stills 1 : 17,200L
Notes; Worm tub.
Glenlivet Speyside
Owner : Pernod Ricard
Established : 1824
Output : 2.8ML (increased from this by 75% in 2010)
Wash stills 4 : 15KL
Spirit stills 4 : 10KL
Notes; Also known as Minmore. This was the first distillery to take out a licence after the Excise Act of 1823. The original buildings were destroyed in 1858. A third of productioon is reserved for single malt bottling.
Glenlochy West Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1898
Output : N/K
Wash stills 1
Spirit stills 1
Notes; Closed in 1983. A number of buildings remain and are listed.
Glenlossie Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1876
Output : 2.2ML
Wash stills 3 : 16KL (charge)
Spirit stills 3 : 2 at 15KL 1 at 13.2KL (charges) purifiers fitted
Notes; In 1962 the number of stills were increased from 4 to 6.
Glen Mhor Northern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1892
Wash stills 1
Spirit stills 1
Notes; Closed 1983 demolished 1986. Operated Saladin maltings from 1954. Associated with MacKinlay’s blend.
Glenmorangie Northern Highland
Owner : Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy
Established : 1843
Output : 3.5ML
Wash stills 4 : 11.4KL
Spirit stills 4 : 8.2KL
Notes; The stills are the tallest in Scotland and were originally English gin stills. The stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1977 then to 8 in 1990. A further increas in 2009. Floor maltings stopped in 1977. This was the first distillery to introduce heating by steam, in 1887. The stills all have reflux bowls.
Glen Moray Speyside
Owner : La Martiniquaise
Established : 1897
Output : 1.85ML
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2
Notes; The stills were doubled to 4 in 1958.
Glen Ord Northern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1838
Output : 3ML
Wash stills 3 : 18,000 L (charge)
Spirit stills 3 : 13,950 L
Notes; In 1966 two stills extended to six, coal firing and floor maltings also abandoned. Saladin maltings from 1961 until 1983. Drum maltings since 1996.
Glenrothes Speyside
Owner : Highland Distillers Limited
Established : 1878
Output : 5.9ML
Wash stills 5 : 22,990 L reflux bowls
Spirit stills 5 : 25,400L reflux bowls
Notes; Stills were increased from 4 to 6 in 1963, 8 in 1980 then 10 in 1989. In 2010 the brand was sold to Berry Brothers and Rudd although the distillery remains the property of Highland Distillers. They received Cutty Sark in the deal.
Glen Scotia Campbeltown
Owner : Loch Lomond Distillery Co., Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse Ltd.
Established : 1832
Output : 0.1ML
Wash still 1 : 11,800L
Spirit stills 1 : 8,600L
Notes; Upgraded in 1979-82. Silent 1984-89 and 1994-2000. Uses a worm tub
Glen Spey Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1878
Output : 2ML
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2 with purifiers
Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1970.
Glentauchers Speyside
Owner : Pernod Ricard
Established : 1898
Output : 1.9ML
Wash stills 3 : 10KL (charge)
Spirit stills 3 : 10.5KL (charge)
Notes; In 1965/66 the stills were increased from 2 to 6. Closed 1985 – 1989.
Glenturret Southern Highland
Owner : Highland Distillers Group Ltd., Edrington Group Ltd.
Established : 1775
Output : 0.4 ML
Wash still 1 : 12,500 L
Spirit still 1 : reflux bowl 9,00 L
Notes; Closed 1929-1959.
Glenugie Eastern Highlands
Owner : Whitbread & Co. Ltd.
Established : 1831 (first production 1837)
Output : N/K
Wash stills : N/K
Spirit stills : N/K
Notes; No official bottles have been released. Mostly demolished. Closed 1983.
Glenury-Royal Eastern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established 1825
Output : N/K
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2
Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1965-66. Closed in 1985, now demolished.
Highland Park Island
Owner : Highland Distillers Group Ltd., Edrington Group Ltd.
Established : 1798
Output : 2ML (2004)
Wash stills 2 : 14,600 L charge
Spirit stills 2 : 9,000 L charge
Notes; Silent 1918-37 and WWII. 20% of barley used is malted at the distillery.
Imperial Speyside
Owner : Groupe Pernod-Ricard
Established : 1897
Output : 1.6 ML
Wash stills 2 : 36 KL
Spirit stills 2 : 36 KL
Notes; Mothballed 1899-1918, 1926-54, 1985-89 and 1998-present. Designed by Doig. Rebuilt in 1955. Stills doubled from 2 in 1965. Saladin box maltings on site.
Inchgower Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1871
Output : 2.3ML
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2
Notes; The stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1966.
Invergordon Northern Highland grain
Owner : UB Brands
Established : 1959 production starting in 1961
Output : 40ML
Notes; Initial sole Coffey still increased to 3 in 1963 then neutral spirit Coffey still added in 1978.
Inverleven Lowland
Owner : Pernod Ricard
Established : 1938
Output : N/K
Wash stills 1 : 25KL
Spirit stills 1 : 20KL
Notes; Closed 1991. The distillery was within the Dumbarton grain complex.
Jura Island
Owner : Whyte & Mackay Ltd.
Established : : 1810 (re-established 26.04.1963)
Output N/K
Wash stills 2 : 25KL
Spirit stills 2 : 22KL
Notes; Silent 1914-63 when totally rebuilt. Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1978.
Kilchoman Islay
Established : 2005
Owner : Kilchoman Distillery Company
Output : approx. 25,000L per week
Wash still 1 : 2,700L (charge)
Spirit still 1 : 1,500L (charge)
Notes; Floor malting meets part of requirements. ppm 20-25 & 50 (malt)
Killyloch Lowland
Owner : Inver House Distillers Ltd.
Established : 1965
output : N/K
Wash stills 1
Spirit stills 1
Notes; End of production 1970. Demolished 1988. These stills were within the Moffat complex where malting blending and bottling took place. Both malt and grain were produced.
Kinclaith Lowland
Owner : Long John
Established : 1957, operations started 1958.
Output : N/K
Wash stills 1
Spirit stills 1
Notes; Closed 1975 dismantled 1976/77. The wash stills had purifiers attached.
Knockando Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 30.05.1898
Output : 1.9ML
Wash stills 2 : 16KL (charge)
Spirit stills 2 : 16KL (charge) reflux bowls
Notes; A Charles Doig distillery. The stills were doubled from 2 in 1969. Floor malting stopped in 1968.
Knockdhu Speyside
Owner : Inver House Distillers Ltd.
Established : 1894
Output : 1.2ML (capacity)
Wash stills : 1 reflux bowls
Spirit stills : 1 reflux bowls
Notes; This was the first malt distillery to be opened by DCL. Mothballed 03.1983 – 05.02.1989. The bottled malt has been named An Cnoc since 1993. Worm tubs.
Ladyburn Lowland
Owner : William Grant & Sons Ltd.
Established : 1966
Output : N/K
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2 reflux bowls
Notes; The stills were within the Girvan grain complex. Decommissioned in 1975.
Lagavulin Islay
Established : 1816
Owner : Diageo
Output : 2.3ML
Wash stills 2 : 12,300L
Spirit stills 2 : 12,900L
Notes; The adjacent Malt Mill distillery’s stills were incorporated into Lagavulin in 1962 when Malt Mill was closed. Floor maltings abandoned 1974. ppm 35-40 (malt) 16-18 (new make)
Laphroaig Islay
Established : 1815
Owner : Beam Global Spirits and Wine, Fortune Brands Inc.
Output : 2ML
Wash stills 3 : 10,910L (charge)
Spirit stills 4 : 1 at 7,270L (charge) 3 at 3,630L (charge)
Notes; Stills were increased from 4 to 6 in 1968-69 then 7 in in1974. 25-30% of malt from own floors. Lyne arms ascend. 10% of production used as single malt.
Linkwood Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1821
Output : 2.6ML
Wash stills 3 : 45,000L (total) plain
Spirit stills 3 : 51,000L (total) plain
Notes; A new still room of 4 stills was added in 1971 to make a total of 6 stills.
Littlemill Lowland
Owner : Loch Lomond distillery Ltd., Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse
Established : 1772
Output : 0.8 ML
Wash still 1 : 25,000 L
Spirit still 1 : 18,000 L
Notes; Dumbuck, a heavily peated variety, and Dunglass, a lightly peated example were produced experimentally. Closed in 1995 now demolished.
Loch Ewe Northern/Western Highland
Owner : John & Frances Clotworthy
Established : 2004
Output : N/K
Wash stills : N/K
Spirit stills : N/K
Notes; A privately run still on smallest scale.
Loch Lomond (malt) Western Highland
Owner : Loch Lomond Distillery Company Ltd.
Established : 1965
Output : 2.5 ML
Wash stills 1 rectifying column and 2 regular pot stills
Spirit stills : N/K
Notes; Mothballed 1984 – 87. 8 different malts are produced due to variations in production variables. Grain is also produced.
Loch Lomond (grain) Western Highland
Owner : Loch Lomond Distillery Company Ltd.
Established : 1994
Output : 10 ML
Notes; Malt is also produced
Lochside (malt) Montrose, Eastern Highland
Owner : : Allied Domecq
Established 1957
Output : N/K
Wash stills 2 : 40KL (combined size)
Spirit stills 2 : 40KL (combined size)
Notes; Demolished. For a period grain whisky was also produced. This was the only Scottish distillery to be Spanish owned. The colourful first owner, Joseph Hobbs, converted the distillery from a brewery. Production stopped April 1992. Bottling was conducted on site for a period.
Lochside (grain) Montrose, Eastern Highland
Owner : Allied Domecq
Established : 1957
Output : N/K
Stills : a single Coffey still
Notes; Grain production ceased in 1970. Malt whisky also produced on site. This was the only Scottish distillery to be Spanish owned. The colourful original owner, Joseph Hobbs, converted the distillery from a brewery. Demolished. Bottling was conducted on site for a period.
Lomond Lowland
Owner : Pernod Ricard
Established : 1956
Output : N/K
Wash stills 1 (shared with Inverleven)
Spirit stills 1 Lomond still
Notes; Decommissioned in 1985. Produced within the Dumbarton where grain and Inverleven malt was also produced. The Lomond style still had a rectifying column neck rather than a traditional pot still swan neck. The Lomond still is now used at Bruichladdich distillery to produce gin.
Longmorn Speyside
Owner : Pernod Ricard
Established : 1893, production started December 1894.
Output : 3.5ML
Wash stills 4 : 16,820L (9.5 – 10KL charge)
Spirit stills 4 : 3 at 15KL and 1 at 13,638 litres
Notes; Stills were increased from four to six in 1972 then eight in 1974. Floor maltings until 1970. Stills were directly heated by coal until 1993. Worm tubs.
Macallan-Glenlivet Speyside
Owner : Highland Distillers Group Ltd., Edrington Group Ltd.
Established : 1824
Output : 5.5ML
Wash stills 5 : heated by open gas fire 12 000L sharply descending lyne arm
Spirit stills 10 : heated by open gas fire 4 000L (Speyside’s smallest spirit stills – on BoS’s £10 note) sharply descending lyne arm
Notes; Stills were increased from 6 to 12 in 1965, to 18 in 1974 then to 21 in 1975. Floor maltings closed in the 1950s. 70% of barley strain is Golden Promise – an older strain abandoned by the rest of the industry for more efficient alcohol yielding alternatives. Stainless steel mashtuns. The largest single roofed warehouse in Europe containing 80,000 butts. 40% of production used for single malt.
Macduff Speyside
Owner : Bacardi
Established : 1962
Output : 2.4M
Wash stills 2 : 40 KL (total)
Spirit stills 3 : 37.5KL
Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 3 in 1966, 4 in 1968 then 5 in 1990. The brand of single malt bottled is named Glen Deveron. The first use of metal mash tuns, steam coils for still heating and shell and tube condensers.
Mannochmore Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1971
Output : 2.6ML
Wash stills 3 : 14.4KL (charge)
Spirit stills 3 : 17KL (charge)
Notes; Mothballed 1985-89 and 1995-97. Positioned next to Glenlossie.
Millburn Northern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1805
Output : N/K
Wash stills : N/K
Spirit stills : N/K
Notes; Closed in 1985. Some buildings still in existance and used as a restaurant.
Miltonduff Speyside
Owner : Pernod Ricard
Established : 1824
Output : 3.5ML
Wash stills 3 : 18KL
Spirit stills 3 : 17.5KL
Notes; A pair of Lomond stills were fitted in 1964, the make was known as Mosstowie, and removed in 1981.
Mortlach Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1823
Output : : 2ML
Wash stills 3 : 32.5KL (total) reflux bowls
Spirit stills 3 : 17KL (charge)
Notes; Own floor maltings until 1968. Worm tubs. Some of the spirit is double distilled some triple.
North British Lowland grain
Owner Diageo/Edrington
Established : 1885
Stills : 3 coffey stills
Output : 64ML
Notes; Uses maize (also known as corn).
North of Scotland Lowland grain
Owner : DCL
Established : 1957
Output : 31 822 litres of wash per hour
Stills : 3 grain
Notes; Known as Strathmore until 1964. The distillery produced malt 1958-1960 in Coffey stills then grain after 1960. Built and owned by G. P. Christie’s North of Scotland Distilling Co. Ltd. Closed 1980 bought 1982 by DCL dismantled 1983.
North Port (Also known as Brechin) Easterern highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1820
Output : N/K
Wash stills 1
Spirit stills 1
Notes; Modernised in the 1970s. Closed 1983. Demolished 1994
Oban Western Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1793, production started in 1794.
Output : 0.7ML
Wash stills 1 : 18 KL, 11.6KL (charge)
Spirit stills 1 : 8,296L, 7KL (charge)
Notes; Floor maltings until 1968. Worm tubs.
Pittyvaich Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1975
Output : : N/K
Wash stills 2 : 30KL (total)
Spirit stills 2 : 30KL (total)
Notes; Equipment was copied from the Dufftown distillery. Closed in 1993, demolished in 2002.
Port Dundas Lowland grain
Owner Diageo
Established : 1811
Output : N/K
Notes; In 1877 the distillery joined with five other grain distilleries to form DCL. It is intended for the distillery to close in 2010.
Port Ellen Islay
Established : 1825
Owner : Diageo
Output : 0.8ML
Wash stills 2 : total 56,000L
Spirit stills 2 : total 50,000L
Notes; First distillery to directly export to the USA. First distillery to use a spirit safe after experiments with the device were carried out on site. The continuous still was developed at the distillery. Silent 1929-66. Stills doubled in number 1966. Drum maltings opened 1973. Closed in May 1983.
Pulteney Northern Highland
Owner : Inverhouse Distillers Limited
Established : 1826
Output : 3ML
Wash stills 1 : 21,707 L
Spirit stills 1 : 17,343 L
Notes; Closed 1930-1959. No floor maltings after 1930. Purifier on Spirit still. Worm tub.
Rosebank Lowland
Owner : British Waterways Board
Established : 1840
Output : 0.32ML
Wash stills 1 : size N/K
Spirit stills 1 : size N/K
Notes; Was one of the founders of Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd. Closed May 1993. Triple distillation. Worm tubs.
Royal Brackla Northern Highland
Owner : John Dewar & Sons Ltd., Bacardi
Established : 1812
Output : 2.6ML
Wash stills : 2 combined capacity 44,000L
Spirit stills : 2 combined capacity 42.000L
Notes; Rebuilt in 1965-66. Stills increased 2 to 4 in 1970.
Royal Lochnagar Eastern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1845, an earlier distilllery of the same name was situated nearby and established in the 1820s.
Output : 0.43ML
Wash stills 1 : 7,410L
Spirit stills 1 : 5,4450L
Notes; Diageo’s smallest distillery. Worm tubs.
Saint Magdalene (also known as Linlithgow) Lowland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1753
Wash stills 2
Spirit stills 2
Notes; Closed in 1983. Floor maltings until 1968. Stills steam heated since 1971.
Scapa Island
Owner : Pernod Ricard
Established : 1885
Output : 1.5ML (capacity)
Wash stills 1 : 13,5KL
Spirit stills 2 : 12,563L
Notes; Intermittantly operated from 1997 – 2004. The wash still is a converted Lomond still, it retained the column neck but lost internal plates.
Speyburn Speyside
Owner : Inverhouse since 1992
Established : 1897
Output : 1.2ML
Wash stills 1 : 17,297L
Spirit stills 1 : 13,160L
Notes; The first distillery to employ mechanical maltings, installed 1897 decommissioned 1968 although still intact. Uses worm tubs. Eight best selling malt in US.
Speyside Speyside
Owner : Speyside Distillery Co. Ltd.
Established : 1955. Production commenced 12/12/90
Output : 0.8ML (capacity)
Wash stills 1 : 11,000L
Spirit stills 1 : 7,000L
Notes; The site was acquired in 1956, construction spanned 1962-87.
Springbank Campbeltown
Owner : J. & A. Mitchell & Co. Ltd
Established : 1828
Output : 0.125 ML
Wash stills 1 : 20KL uniquely both steam and direct fire heated. Fitted with rummager
Spirit stills 2 : 12,274 L
Notes; Closed Jan. – Oct. 1980, Jan. 1981 – Sept. 1985, Dec. 1985 – Mar. 1987, July 1987 – Jan. 1989 and May – Sept. 1989. Only distillery in Scotland to produce 100% of own malted barley requirements by hand. 7-8 ppm for Springbank malt. Springbank is partially double and partially triple distilled. Worm tubs. 70% of production goes for single malt. Never chill-filtered or artificially coloured. Bottled on site. Oldest family owned distillery in Scotland. Longrow was initially distilled in 1973. Here double distillation is practiced with 55ppm. Also Hazelburn triple distilled zeroppm since 1997.
Starlaw Lowland grain
Owner : La Martiniquaise
Established : 2011
Output : N/K
Strathclyde Lowland grain
Owner : Pernod Ricard
Established : 1927
Output : 40ML
2 column stills.
Notes; Produces grain spirit and neutral spirit.
Strathisla Speyside
Owner : Chivas Brothers Ltd., Groupe Pernod-Ricard
Established : 1786
Output : 2.5ML
Wash stills 2 : 12,000 L charge
Spirit stills 2 : reflux bowls 8,000 L charge
Notes; Stills were increased from two to four in 1965.
Strathmill Speyside
Owner : Diageo
Established : 10.06 1891
Output : 52KL per week
Wash stills 2 : 11KL (charge) reflux bowls
Spirit stills 2 : 6.7KL (charge) reflux bowls
Notes; Originally named Glenisla-Glenlivet. Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1968. The spirit still lyne arm is fitted with a purifier.
Talisker Island
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1830
Output : 1.5ML
Wash stills 2 : reflux bowls 14,706 L
Spirit stills 3 : 11,024 L
Notes; A fire destroyed the still house in 1960. Floor malting was abandoned in 1972. PPM : 25-30. Triple distillation was employed 1896 – 1928. Stills were steam heated from 1972. U-sheped bend in the lyne arm. Worm tubs. 10% of production stored on site- destined for single malt..
Tamdhu Speyside
Owner : Highland Distillers
Established : 1897
Output : N/K
Wash stills 3 : 51KL total
Spirit stills 3 : 54KL total
Notes; The stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1972 then to 6 in 1975. Since 1949 Saladin box maltings have supplied the distillery and others in the group with malt, this was the last example of this particular style of malting in Scotland. The distillery was mothballed in 2010.
Tamnavulin Speyside
Owner : IB Brands
Established : 1966
Output : 4ML
Wash stills 3 : 75KL total
Spirit stills 3 : 69.6KL total
Notes; Mothballed 1995 to 2008.
Teaninich Northern Highland
Owner : Diageo
Established : 1817
Output : 3ML
Wash stills 3 : 17.5KL, reflux bowls
Spirit stills 3 : 16KL, reflux bowls
Notes; Stills were doubled from two in 1962 then increased to ten in 1971 when a new distillery was constructed adjacent to the old. Silent 1985-90. The old distillery was demolished in 1999. The only Scottish example of a hammer mill is in situ here, an unusual filter system is also used when processing the mash.
Tobermory Island
Owner : Burn Stewart, CL Finance
Established : 1798
Output : 1ML
Wash stills 2 : 36KL reflux bowls
Spirit stills 2 : 16KL reflux bowls
Notes; Mothballed 1837-78, 1928-72, 1975-78, 1982-89 and 1992-94. A peated spirit called Ledaig is bottled alongside the unpeated version. The distillery has also been known as ‘Ledaig’.
Tomatin Northern Highland
Owner : Takara Shuzo and Okura & Co. Ltd.
Established 1897
Output : N/K
Wash stills 6 : 16KL reflux bowls
Spirit stills 6 : 16KL reflux bowls
Notes; In 1956 the stills were doubled from 2, then another 2 added in 1958, increased to ten in 1961, then eleven in 1961, fourteen in 1974 and finally 23 in 1986 later downsized to 12 stills. For a period this was this biggest distillery in Scotland. Floor maltings stopped in 1973.
Tomintoul Speyside
Owner : Angus Dundee
Established : 1964 (production started July 1965)
Output : 2.7ML
Wash stills 2 : reflux bowls 44KL total
Spirit stills 2 : reflux bowls 39KL total
Notes; Stills doubled from 2 in 1974.
Tormore Speyside
Owner : Pernod Ricard, since 26.07.05
Established : 1958, production started January 1959
Output : 3.4ML
Wash stills 4 : 48.6KL, total
Spirit stills 4 : 34.5KL, total
Notes; Stills were doubled to 8 in 1972. The wash still has a purifier fitted.
Tullibardine Southern Highland
Owner : Tullibardine Ltd, since June 2003
Established : 1949
Output : 1.5ML
Wash stills 2 : 21.5KL
Spirit stills 2 : 16.4KL
Notes; The stills were increased from 2 to 4 in1973. Mothballed from January 1995 to December 2003.