Glentauchers Distillery is a prominent Scotch whisky distillery located in Mulben, near Keith, in the Speyside region of Scotland. Established in 1897, the distillery has played a crucial role in supplying spirits for blended whiskies throughout its history.

History

Glentauchers Distillery was founded in 1897 by James Buchanan, a blender, and W.P. Lowrie, a whisky trader. The distillery was designed by John Alcock and overseen by the renowned distillery architect Charles Doig & Son. Production commenced in 1898, a challenging time due to the fallout from the Pattison crash that had severely impacted the whisky industry.

After encountering financial difficulties, W.P. Lowrie sold his share to James Buchanan in 1906, making Buchanan the sole owner. The distillery briefly experimented with continuous distillation methods around the turn of the century before reverting to traditional copper pot stills.

The strategic location of Glentauchers near the Great North of Scotland Railway facilitated efficient transportation of whisky, aided by its own railway platform until 1964.

In 1915, James Buchanan & Co merged with Dewars, marking a new phase for Glentauchers. The 1920s saw significant renovations and expansions, including the rebuilding of the mashing house and maltings.

In 1925, Glentauchers was acquired by Distillers Company Limited (DCL), which invested further in the distillery's infrastructure. Notably, in 1965, the number of stills at Glentauchers was tripled from two to six under the management of DCL's subsidiary, Scottish Malt Distillers.

The downturn in the whisky market led to Glentauchers being mothballed by DCL in 1985. However, it was swiftly acquired by Caledonian Malt Distillers, a subsidiary of Allied Distillers, in 1989. Production resumed in 1989 after four years of closure.

Ownership Changes

In 2005, Chivas Brothers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, acquired Glentauchers when Pernod Ricard purchased Allied Domecq and its distillery holdings.

Production

Glentauchers Distillery boasts a production capacity of 4.2 million litres of alcohol per year. The distillery features a 12.2-ton mash tun, six washbacks made of Oregon Pine, and six copper pot stills. The water used in the production process is drawn from the Rosarie Burn before it reaches the River Spey.

Despite traditionally being used for blends, Glentauchers gained recognition among single malt enthusiasts with the official release of its 15-year-old single malt whisky under the Ballantines brand in 2017. This expression is noted for its fruity and floral aromas, with a palate that features sweetness, berries, and barley sugar, culminating in a long finish.

Visitor Experience

Glentauchers Distillery offers limited visitor experiences, providing insights into its whisky-making process and the history of the distillery.

Glentauchers Distillery continues to be a vital part of Scotland's whisky industry, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern production techniques to create exceptional whiskies cherished by connoisseurs worldwide.