Craigellachie Distillery

Craig-ellackie, from Creag Eileachaidh, meaning “rocky hill”. Nestled in the heart of Speyside, Craigellachie Distillery stands as a testament to traditional Scottish whisky-making. Founded in 1891, this distillery is one of the few that still employs worm tub condensers, a unique feature that contributes to its distinctively rich and full-bodied spirit.

Unique Distillation Process

Scotland boasts over 140 distilleries, but only 20 use worm tub condensers—Craigellachie, founded in 1891, is one of them. This unique feature contributes to the spirit’s distinctly heavy and oily character, uncommon in Speyside whiskies. It beautifully complements the whisky’s fruitier notes.

From blending base to Single Malt Whisky

With its distinctively rich and full-bodied profile, Craigellachie stands as a serious contender to other Speyside malts like Mortlach and even Macallan. However, with 98% of Craigellachie’s production used for blending and distillery bottlings only recently becoming available, single malt expressions are increasingly sought after.

Production

Situated in the popular town of Craigellachie, at the confluence of the rivers Spey and Fiddich, the distillery has always enjoyed a plentiful supply of fresh water and local barley. Its short, squat stills and old-fashioned copper worm tub condensers produce a distinctively rich, full-bodied, and spicy whisky that ages superbly.

History and Tourism

The name “Craigellachie” translates from Gaelic as “rocky hill,” referring to a nearby cliff dominating the west bank of the River Spey. While many distilleries have faced challenges such as fires, closures, excise men, and bankruptcy, Craigellachie has quietly continued producing excellent whisky since its establishment. The distillery lacks a visitor center, but tourists flock to the town for its superb hotels and whisky bars.

Ownership and Expansion

Alexander Edward founded the distillery in 1891, leading a group of blenders and merchants known as the Craigellachie Distillery Co. After changing hands peacefully several times, the stillhouse was reconstructed by SMD in 1964–65, doubling production. In 1998, it came under the ownership of John Dewar and Sons, becoming a key component of their blend.

Recent Releases

In 2014, Craigellachie launched a small distillery-bottled range featuring odd-numbered expressions, including 13-, 17-, and 23-year-old whiskies. In 2018, they released a 24-year-old bottling for the duty-free market.

Request A Cask Sample

If you are interested in buying an entire cask of whisky or requesting a cask sample for tasting, please register and get in touch with our team in both Hong Kong and London.