Speyside /

Strathisla

Located in Keith, Strathisla distillery is the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands. It was founded as the Milltown Distillery in 1786 on land originally leased from the Earl of Seafield.

As was the case in many inland Scottish towns, Keith’s main industry of Flax milling (a dangerous process to produce yarn used in the linen industry) was failing, a challenge that entrepreneurs George Taylor and Alexander Milne took on to revive the fortunes of the region. What resulted was a new distillery, originally called Milltown Distillery, that changed the fortunes of the town and started the Speyside Whisky revolution.

By 1830, the distillery was owned by William Longmore and Miltown was renamed Strathisla in 1870. Following a devastating fire in 1879 the distillery was rebuilt and extended into the buildings you see there today.

In 1948 Chivas Brothers Ltd was interested in buying the distillery and approached the then owner George Pomeroy about a possible sale. A disagreement of the value meant negotiations failed, however the year afterwards George was convicted of tax evasion and the distillery was bankrupt. It was auctioned in Aberdeen and Chivas was able to obtain it for £71000, a fraction of the previously offered sum.

What resulted was the first distillery to be owned and operated by the Chivas Brothers and to this day, Strathisla Single Malt is at the heart of each and every Chivas Regal blend.

Although the whisky that is produced at Strathisla is piped to nearby Glen Keith Distillery to be casked, visitors can tour the traditional warehouse where selected single malts are aged.

During a visit to Strathisla you will discover the world of Chivas Regal, a pioneering enterprise fundamental in bringing Scotch whisky to the world. You will have the opportunity to taste Strathisla’s own Single Malt that offers a distinctive mellow honey flavour with nutty undertones to create a smooth, balanced Speyside whisky. Sample the Limited Edition Cask Strength Single malts, exclusively selected from the Distillery Reserve Collection and compare the single and blended finished product.