The Distillery
Strathisla Distillery was established in 1786 on the banks of the river Isla, making it the oldest continually operating distillery on the Malt Whisky Trail. Today, Strathisla is one of the oldest continuously operating on the Malt Whisky Trail, and is also considered to be one of the most picturesque distilleries in Scotland.
Chivas Brothers purchased Strathisla in 1950 to safeguard this special Speyside malt for the famous Chivas Regal blend. Today, Strathisla is known as the home of Chivas Regal. As well as producing malt for blends, the distillery released its own single malt Scotch whisky.
With its short, small copper stills and natural spring water, Strathisla produces a full-bodied single malt Scotch whisky. As described by Colin Scott, “This classic Speyside malt has a deep fruitiness with a complex array of nutty and hay-like flavours.”
Visit Strathisla
At Strathisla Distillery feel closer to the true spirit of our rich, smooth, Chivas Regal blends and the classic Speyside malt at their heart.
As a whisky enthusiast, or a newcomer, your Strathisla tour will be a sensory experience, both memorable and informative – created in a beautiful riverside distillery now in its two hundred and thirty third year of making whisky.
Spend some time in expert, yet informal company, discovering the ancient craft of distilling spirits, and the rare skills needed for blending them.
See and hear how prestigious whiskies are created from simple, natural ingredients. Inhale the distinctive aromas during production and share the many subtleties of each one as you ‘nose’ and then taste them to complete your visit.
Add the Strathisla distillery to your itinerary, and discover more here.
Where we are
Originally established in 1786, Strathisla is the oldest working distillery in the Scottish Highlands, located in the Speyside region of Scotland.
Strathisla Distillery
Seafield Avenue,
Keith AB55 5BS
Find us on Google Maps
When we are open
WINTER OPENING TIMES:
9th November 2018 until 18th April 2019
Monday to Sunday – 10:00 hours to 16:30 hours
SUMMER OPENING TIMES:
19th April until End of October 2019
Monday to Sunday – 10.00 to 18.00 hours
For bookings & Experiences information please go to www.maltwhiskydistilleries.com/strathisla
For inquiries please e-mail strathisla.admin@pernod-ricard.com or call 0044 1542783044
Tours at Strathisla Distillery
Chivas Regal Blending Experience
During this unique experience you will discover the world of Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky which has always been pioneering and generous at heart. You will begin by touring Strathisla distillery to discover how the single malt at the heart of Chivas Regal is made. You will then have the opportunity to taste of some special drams and the opportunity to create your own blend in the style of Chivas Regal and you will be able to take away a small bottle of it to impress your friends.
£60pp, 2hrs 15mins, over 18’s only, online booking. Max 14
The Chivas Cellar Tasting
This exclusive tasting offers you the opportunity to enjoy drams drawn straight from the casks in front of you inside the Chivas Regal Cellar within Warehouse 3 at Strathisla Distillery. All the drams are at natural cask strength and they include a Bourbon barrel of Chivas Regal 12 years old, a hogshead of Chivas Regal 18 years old, a sherry butt of Chivas Regal 25 years old and another single sherry butt containing Strathisla 25 years old. Your tasting will be led by an experienced guide and promises to be an unforgettable experience and will provide an insight into the complexities of the blending of luxury whisky. There will also be the opportunity to take a photograph or two in the Chivas cellar.
£40pp, 45 mins, over 18’s only, online booking. Max 8
Discover the Distillery Reserve Collection
Uncover some of the Scotch Whisky World’s hidden gems as we invite you to spend some time sampling and falling in love with five exceptional Limited Edition Cask Strength Single Malts, exclusively selected from the Chivas Brothers’ Distillery Reserve Collection Portfolio. This, coupled with an in-depth look through our beautiful distillery with one of our most experienced guides, will truly make this an afternoon to remember.
£50pp, 1hr 30mins, over 18’s only, online booking. Max 12
Traditional Distillery Tour
The perfect tour for an introduction to whisky making where your guide will take you into the production areas, explain the distillation process from start to finish and then show you racks of filled whisky casks quietly aging in the cool tranquillity of the traditional bonded warehouse. You are invited to join a tutored tasting of four whiskies and learn about the intricate relationship between our single malt and our world-famous Chivas Regal blends.
£15pp, 1hr 30 mins, over 18’s only, online booking. Max 14
'A Fly Dram'
Visit friends and relatives in Speyside outside regular mealtimes, and you may well be welcomed with the question: ‘Would you like a fly cup?’. Don’t panic – the fly cup is the North East form of elevenses, or afternoon tea: fly-cup: a quick cup of tea, taken as a refresher between meals. Often abbreviated to fly. Prob. orig. from the notion of a surreptitious cup at a time when tea-drinking was less common. If you have a packed itinerary make a little time to come in past Strathisla Distillery, Home of Chivas Regal for a ‘fly dram’! Our passionate bar keeper will take 10 minutes to talk you through 3 drams: Grain Whisky, Strathisla 12 year old Single Malt and Chivas Regal 18 year old, while chatting to you about the relationship between our beloved single malt and world renowned Chivas and how their histories intertwine. There will also be a sweet treat to help illustrate the complexity of blending flavours together. Your time is then your own to relax and enjoy the whiskies and experiment a little further with flavours or fly off to your next eagerly anticipated destination. ‘Och come on, you’ll stay for a fly.’
£10pp, 10mins, over 18’s only, online booking. Max 4
FURTHER INFORMATION
-We cannot guarantee tours in languages other than English, translation sheets are available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Russian, Mandarin and Japanese.
-We have strict Health & Safety Regulations that must be respected at all times. These include no photography in the distillery and warehouse and smoking only in restricted areas. Photography will, as an exception, be possible in the warehouse on our Chivas Cellar Tasting.
-Whilst we will always do our best to accommodate groups that arrive later than the booked time, we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate late arrivals.
-All pre-paid fees are fully refundable if cancellation request is sent to Strathisla Distillery in writing (by e-mail see details below) up to 48 hours prior to the booked time.
-Please note all tours and tastings are for the over 18's only.
All bookings must be finalised online at www.maltwhiskydistilleries.com
Coach and Group Bookings
We are delighted to welcome small coach and group bookings to the distillery and are experienced in giving your group a fun, informative and well-organised experience. We have something for everyone: historical appeal, scientific interest (chemistry behind distillation) as well as the sensory aspect of nosing and tasting a huge variety of malts and blends. To ensure the quality of our experiences we can only accommodate groups of up to 16 persons. You can find availability and make a reservation online.
