Glen Keith distillery information
Founded by by Chivas Brothers (part of Canadian firm Distillers Corporation-Seagrams Ltd) in 1958, the Glen Keith distillery was constructed to ensure a steady supply of whisky to be used in blending. It’s located in a former mill on the banks of the river Isla, pretty much across from the Strathisla distillery which is also owned by Chivas. It was originally equipped with 3 stills, which were to be used for triple distillation (nowadays mostly used in the Lowlands, particularly Auchentoshan). The distillery was created attempting to give it a traditional look and feel, and Philip Morrice described it as “an excellent job has been done in recreating the form and ambiance of a turn-of-the-century Highland malt whisky distillery”.
Glen Keith Whiskies
Most whisky distilled at Glen Keith finds its way into the Chivas blends, particularly Passport. Two official bottles were released:- Glen Keith 1983
- 10 Year Old Heritage Selection (1994).
- Glenisla
- Craigduff
Distillery info:
Detail |
Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Glen Keith |
| Region | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland |
| Logo |  |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Water source | Balloch Hill springs |
| Malting floor | No |
| Owned by | Pernod Ricard |
| Address | Station Road Keith Morayshire AB55 3BU Scotland +44 (0)1542 - 78 30 44 |
| Visitor centre | No |
| Map |
Distillery Setup:
Component |
Capacity |
Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Mash tun | 8 tonnes | 1 |
| Washback | 45,000 litres | 15 (9 wood, 6 stainless steel) |
| Wash still | 15,300 litres | 3 |
| Spirit Still | 11,100 litres | 3 |
| Expected yearly output in LPA (Litres of pure alcohol) | 6,000,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Glen Keith was founded in 1958 by Chivas Brothers, part of the Canadian firm Distillers Corporation-Seagram Ltd, to secure a steady supply of whisky for blending. It’s located in a former mill on the banks of the River Isla, almost directly across from the Strathisla distillery, also owned by Chivas.
Yes. Glen Keith was originally equipped with three stills for triple distillation, a method used today mostly in the Lowlands, particularly at Auchentoshan. The distillery was built to look and feel traditional; whisky writer Philip Morrice described it as “an excellent job… done in recreating the form and ambiance of a turn-of-the-century Highland malt whisky distillery”.
Yes, more than once. In September 1970, Glen Keith became the first Scottish distillery equipped with gas-fired stills. In 1980, it again led the industry by becoming the first distillery to use a microprocessor computer to control milling, mashing and eventually distillation.
Two additional stills were added in 1970, bringing the total to five, and triple distillation was abandoned in favour of standard double distillation. The stills converted to steam heating in 1973, and the Saladin boxes used for malting closed in 1976.
Seagram mothballed Glen Keith in 1999. Pernod Ricard bought Chivas Brothers in 2001 but initially showed no interest in reviving the distillery. That changed by 2012, when extensive reconstruction began, and Glen Keith officially reopened in June 2013, though production had already quietly resumed that April.
Most whisky distilled at Glen Keith goes into Chivas blends, particularly Passport. Two official single malt bottlings have been released: Glen Keith 1983, and a 10 Year Old Heritage Selection in 1994. Two peated malts have also been produced under the names Glenisla and Craigduff, a practice Seagram also followed at Caperdonich and Benriach.
No, Glen Keith does not have a visitor centre.