Glen Keith Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Glen Keith Distillery
Keith, Banffshire AB55 3BU Scotland
Tel: +44 (0)1542 783042 Fax: +44 (0)1542 783056
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Origins The origins of Glen Keith can be said to lie in 1950, when Chivas Brothers acquired the
Strathisla Distillery in Keith. The company was delighted with the quality of the malt whisky produced there, which became the heart of the premium Chivas Regal blend - and so it was natural that when plans were drawn up for the expansion of Chivas Brothers’ malt whisky distilling operations, it was decided to build a new distillery nearby. An old meal mill on the opposite bank of the River Isla was purchased in 1957, and work began on its conversion. Some of the old mill buildings were renovated and the new buildings were designed in the local vernacular style and finished in local stone to maintain the dignified Victorian character of the area's architecture. The first whisky from Glen Keith ran off the stills in December 1958. The distillery was formally opened by Sam Bronfman, President of Distillers Corporation-Seagrams Ltd, on 24 May 1960.

The Linn and the Tower Glen Keith stands by the famous Linn of Keith, an attractive waterfall on the Isla, over which the ruins of Milton Castle stand guard. The castle was built c1480, and for centuries it was the stronghold of the Ogilvies of Milton. Once, the 6 feet thick castle walls perched on the edge of the precipice above the deep Linn Pool, but the buildings were abandoned in the eighteenth century, and local builders plundered the site for masonry for houses and other new buildings in Keith. Today, only the ruins of the castle tower remains. However, this short stretch of the River Isla remains popular with visitors, can watch herons patiently fishing along the riverbank and salmon leap in the Linn Pool. Occasionally, a family of otters has been spotted playing in the water.

It was not bottled as a single malt Scotch whisky until 1994 when Glen Keith became widely available as one of four brands presented by Chivas Brothers in The Heritage Selection. Glen Keith Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a smooth, light whisky with fruit notes on the palate, which develops a pleasantly warm and lasting finish. It has received a warm welcome from single malt whisky aficionados around the world.

The Glen Keith Distillery Behind Glen Keith's traditional facade, innovative technology was introduced to the traditional arts of whisky-making. Scotland's first gas-fired still was commissioned at the distillery in 1970, and it was the first in Scotland to introduce computerisation to the distilling processes when microprocessors were installed in the mash house in 1980. The system was subsequently extended to provide improved quality and production controls in the mill and eventually even the still room. Glen Keith tested and introduced many other innovative processes designed to complement and refine the traditional arts and skills involved in the making of malt whisky.

The distillery now owned by Pernod Ricard who purchased Chivas Brothers Limited in 2001. However, it has been silent since March 1999, but site is still used as a filling store and technical centre. The Glen Keith Distillery does not have a visitor centre nor does it offer any tours at this time.