Facts about this distillery
Established
1798
Owner
Diageo
Annual Capacity
2,500,000 Litres
Region
Highland
Number of Stills
Four pot stills – two wash, two spirit
Website
N/A
Blair Athol Distillery. The gateway to the Scottish Highlands.
Blair Athol Distillery is nestled in the picture-perfect town of Pitlochry, and proudly stands at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. The area’s pristine freshwater source, the Allt Dour, flows from the slopes of Ben Vrakie – the water contributes to the whisky’s mellow, smooth finish.
Founded in 1798 by John Steward and Robert Robertson, the distillery was originally named ‘Aldour’, after the Allt Dour burn. Like many distilleries of the time, it changed ownership many times – from John Robertson in 1825 to P. McKenzie & Co Distillers Limited in 1882.
From closure to colossal within 50 years.
The dilapidated Blair Athol Distillery closed in 1932; its extensive dilapidation was mainly due to the depression. Arthur Bell & Sons purchased the distillery in 1933, and production resumed in 1949.
Arthur Bell & Sons’ Distillery was expanded in 1973 – two more stills complemented the existing two. The whisky was ideally suited for blends, particularly Bell’s Whisky.
Blair Athol’s Diageo days.
In 1985, major industry players, Guinness plc began its takeover of the Arthur Bell & Sons’ Blair Athol site. Guinness then merged with Grand Metropolitan to create Diageo, Blair Athol’s current owner.
The revered Blair Athol Highland Distillery now produces almost 3 million litres of single malt whisky every year. And its visitor’s centre is equally impressive; in fact, it is one of the most visited in Scotland.
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