Strathisla Distillery, known as the oldest licensed distillery in Scotland, is a prime example of classic old-style whisky production. Located beside the River Isla, the distillery’s architecture is a labyrinth of rooms and passageways, leading visitors to the rafters of the low-roofed stillhouse, where they are positioned at the same level as the lyne arm of the stills. The distillery’s small stills play a crucial role in shaping the character of its whisky, adding a surprising heft and weight to what would otherwise be a light and fragrant spirit. This complexity, however, means Strathisla’s whisky needs time to mature before its full range of flavors can be appreciated.
Strathisla is particularly well known for its role in the Chivas Regal blend, though it is a challenging component for blenders due to its need for extended maturation. The distillery’s history dates back to 1786, originally established as a brewery for the local monastery before transitioning to whisky production. It was known as Milltown/Milton until 1870, when it became synonymous with the name Strathisla, named after the river nearby. The distillery was renamed Strathisla in 1951, but by the late 1940s, it had fallen into disrepair.
A turning point came in 1950 when legendary whisky broker Jimmy Barclay, acting on behalf of Sam Bronfman’s Seagram, purchased Strathisla at auction for £71,000 after the previous owner was jailed for tax evasion. This marked the beginning of Strathisla’s resurgence, with the distillery becoming the cornerstone of Bronfman’s reformulated Chivas Regal 12-Year-Old blend. Strathisla’s rise in prominence continued as it became a major tourist attraction, frequently cited as one of the most picturesque distilleries in Scotland.
Despite its fame as the “home” of Chivas Regal, Strathisla’s single malt production has remained relatively small. Independent bottlings, mainly from Gordon & MacPhail, have been more common, though a repackaging of the brand in 2013 suggests the distillery may be shifting its focus to official single malt releases in the future. Strathisla remains a significant piece of whisky history and a key contributor to the Chivas Regal brand’s legacy.
