The Ben Nevis Distillery is a historic whisky distillery located in Fort William, Scotland, at the base of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, which rises to 1,345 meters (4,413 feet) above sea level. Situated in the coastal region of the Western Highlands, the distillery draws its water from the Allt a’Mhuilinn, originating from the mountain's two pools, Coire Leis and Coire na’Ciste.
History
The distillery was founded in 1825 by John McDonald, popularly known as 'Long John' McDonald due to his impressive height of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters). A descendant of a ruler of the western Scottish kingdom of Argyll, McDonald established the distillery as an independent enterprise. The renowned blended Scotch, Long John, was named in his honor. Following Long John's death in 1856, his son, Donald McDonald, inherited the distillery.
In 1878, a second distillery named Nevis Distillery was established nearby to meet increasing demand. The two distilleries operated independently for about 30 years before merging in the early twentieth century.
Joseph Hobbs took over the distillery in 1955, introducing continuous distillation and installing a Coffey still, making Ben Nevis one of the first distilleries to produce both malt and grain whisky simultaneously. The Coffey still remained in use for 26 years until its removal in 1971.
Modern Era
The Japanese company Nikka Whisky Distilling of Tokyo acquired the distillery in 1989. Under Nikka's ownership, Ben Nevis continues to produce a range of whiskies, with the 10-year-old single malt being a staple of the brand. The distillery has also released various cask finishes, limited editions, and independent bottlings from producers such as Blackadder and Douglas Laing. In 1991, Ben Nevis opened a visitor center and café to the public.
Name and Pronunciation
The name "Ben Nevis" translates to "Mountain with its head in the clouds" in Gaelic. The pronunciation is "ben NEV-is".
Notable Features
Ben Nevis distillery has had a colorful history, from its establishment by the towering figure of Long John McDonald to its innovative period under Joseph Hobbs. Despite periods of closure and ownership changes, the distillery has maintained a reputation for quality whisky. The water source, Allt a' Mhuilinn, is a significant feature, contributing to the distinctive character of Ben Nevis whiskies.
