The North British Distillery is a grain whisky distillery located in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland. Established in 1885 by a group of independent distillers, it is now jointly owned by Diageo plc and the Edrington Group. The distillery is one of the largest producers of grain whisky in Scotland, contributing to various well-known whisky blends and other spirits.

History

The North British Distillery was founded to meet the growing demand for high-quality grain whisky in the Victorian era. Major shareholders Andrew Usher, William Sanderson, and John M. Crabbie, along with other whisky blenders, established the North British Distillery Company Limited. The site chosen for the distillery, a 10-acre pig farm on the western outskirts of Edinburgh, was strategically located near the national railway network, the Port of Leith, and the main city sewer, facilitating efficient production and distribution.

Production began in 1887, and within a year, the distillery was producing 3.6 million litres of spirit annually. By the onset of World War I, production had increased to 9 million litres per year, but it was halted in 1917 due to grain shortages. After the war, production resumed in 1920 and reached pre-war levels by 1925. However, the Prohibition era in the United States and the Great Depression led to a significant decline in production during the 1930s.

World War II again caused a suspension in production, with the site being used as a grain store and later as a depot for D-Day supplies. Production resumed in 1948, and Scotland's first Saladin maltings were installed, spurring a return to pre-war production levels in the early 1950s. The distillery expanded in the late 1950s, adding new warehouses and facilities.

In the 1970s, the distillery expanded further, purchasing additional land for warehouses and increasing production capacity to 36.4 million litres by 1979. Despite a downturn in the late 1970s and early 1980s, production recovered, and by 1991, output had reached 41.7 million litres annually.

In 1993, shareholders Robertson & Baxter and International Distillers & Vintners formed Lothian Distillers, which acquired all other shares for £84 million. Subsequent expansions increased production capacity to 61.6 million litres to support the production of grain-neutral spirits for brands like Smirnoff vodka.

Current Operations

Today, Lothian Distillers, and hence the North British Distillery, is co-owned by Diageo plc and the Edrington Group. The distillery produces approximately 65 million litres of spirit annually, contributing to brands such as Smirnoff vodka, Johnnie Walker, and Famous Grouse whisky.

The distillery imports maize, primarily from France, and malted barley for production. Byproducts from the distillation process, such as husks, are pelletized into cattle feed, and liquefied carbon dioxide is sold through a contractor.

Significance

The North British Distillery plays a crucial role in the Scotch whisky industry, providing high-quality grain whisky for various blends and contributing to the global demand for Scotch whisky. Its strategic location and extensive facilities enable efficient production and distribution, ensuring its continued importance in the industry.