Blair Athol

Introduction:

Blair Athol Distillery offers only one official bottling, the Blair Athol 12-year-old. The distillery’s character is described as strong and voluminous, with Whiskies primarily matured in Sherry casks, resulting in a sweet flavor profile. Independent Bottlers and Highland Malt .Many independent bottlers bottle Blair Athol Whisky as Single Malt, showcasing the distillery’s true character as a quality Highland Malt. Blend Production and Bell’s Blended Scotch Whisky. The majority of Blair Athol Whisky is used in Blend production, particularly in Bell’s blended Scotch Whisky by Diageo. The richness and spiciness from the European oak casks add depth and flavor to the Blend.

The Production:

Blair Athol Distillery produces approximately 2.5 million litres of alcohol annually. It operates four pot stills and sources its water from the Allt Dour Burn.

The Pot Stills:

The distillery has two wash stills with a capacity of 13,000 litres each and two spirit stills with a capacity of around 12,000 litres. These pear-shaped stills lack reflux bowls or constricting pieces, contributing to the distinctive and robust Highland character.

The Malting:

Previously, Blair Athol obtained its malt from UD maltings, which is now one of the malt suppliers for Diageo.

The Warehouse:

Blair Athol’s warehouses have a flat structure with sturdy brick walls made of old heavy stones. This creates an ideal environment for Whisky maturation, offering a moist and cool atmosphere.

History:

The Blair Athol distillery has a long history, dating back to its founding in 1798 by John Stewart and Robert Robertson as the ‘Aldour distillery’. However, it faced challenges and had to close soon after. In 1825, the distillery was reopened and expanded by John Robertson, who renamed it Blair Athol. Prior to the Second World War, Arthur Bell & Sons acquired the distillery. After a brief period of closure, it was renovated and reopened in 1949 when the economy recovered. Eventually, Bell’s was acquired by Diageo, who remains the owner of Blair Athol today.

The Visitor Centre:

Blair Athol Distillery offers a visitor centre and a shop where visitors can purchase a variety of Blair Athol and Bell’s blended Scotch bottlings. The top tour provides an opportunity to explore the production process, visit the warehouses, and indulge in a tasting directly from the cask.

Visitor information:

Blair Athol Distillery
Perth Road
Pitlochry
Perthshire
PH16 5LY
Tel: +44 (0)1796-482003
Email: blair.athol@malts.com