Ben Nevis Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Ben Nevis Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery Information

Founded in 1825 by Long John McDonald

Location Highlands western region

Water source Allt a Mhullin

Ben Nevis Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Distilling Equipment

Stainless Steel Mash Tun

6 Stainless Steel Washbacks.

4 Swan Necked pot stills

Matured in American Bourbon and European sherry oak casks.

Ben Nevis Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery History

“Long John” McDonald, a 6ft 4in descendant of a ruler of the western Scottish kingdom of Argyll, established the Ben Nevis distillery in 1825. Making it one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland

The Ben Nevis distillery is located at the foot of Scotland's highest mountain, Ben Nevis.

The water to make the whisky is taken from the Allt a’Mhuilinn (the Mill Burn) that originates as snowmelt from the mountain. It could hardly be purer or colder.

The ‘Dew of Ben Nevis’ was the first name given to his whisky.

After Long John's death, in 1856 the firm was passed onto his son, Donald Peter McDonald. Who in turn passed the company to his sons, Archibald William and John (Jack), the latter running the business until emigrating to South Africa after the Boer War.

The distillery survived a sequestration in 1856

In 1878 a second distilling unit, called Nevis, was built nearby as an extension to Ben Nevis distillery. This operated as a separate unit for 30 years before being absorbed into the Ben Nevis operation in 1908. The site of the Nevis distillery is now occupied by a housing estate.

Due to the finacial conditions of the time the "Long John" name was reluctantly sold in 1911 to W.H. Chaplin & Co Ltd. a London based wine and spirit merchant.

During the Second world war (Dates of 1941 and 1944 have been given) the distillery was taken over by new proprietors with Joseph Hobbs in charge. Under Joseph Hobb’s leadership, a Coffey still was installed in 1955 , making the distillery one of the first to produce both malt and grain whisky simultaneously.

The distillery was re-united with the Long John name in 1981as it was purchased by Long John International

In 1989 the distillery was sold by Whitbread (subsidery of Long John) to Mitsui, partner of the Japanese whisky-makers Nikka.

The new owners restored distillation of malt whisky but not the grain in 1990 under the name Ben Nevis Distillery Co Ltd.

The mash-tun is a Glenspey type lauter tun made of stainless steel. There are two pairs of stills today, which date from the 1955 Joseph Hobb’s acquisition. The continuous still is no longer on site.

Published 8 times a year Whisky Magazine is the perfect complement to the dram in your glass. Every issue brings you fascinating articles on the art, science and romance of the 'water of life', plus page after page of tasting notes

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