Friends all know that there are five main production areas in the world: Scotland , Ireland , the United States, Canada and Japan. Among them, Scotch whiskey has the longest history of brewing, the most numerous distilleries, and the most developed industry.
Today I will take stock of the "7 best" among the many Scotch whiskey distilleries. Knowing this, when we talk about whiskey at the wine table in the future, you will definitely "understand the king" and everyone will look at you with admiration!
Scotland's oldest continuously operating whiskey factory
The name "Scotland's oldest whiskey distillery" has not been officially recognized for a long time due to the lack of conclusive historical records. Many Scottish distilleries have been arguing for centuries in order to compete for this title that is full of gimmicks and economic benefits. They all claim to be "Scotland's oldest whiskey distillery". Among them, two distilleries have a relatively loud voice: Glenturret and Bowmore.
Granta Distillery
But both contestants actually have controversies and loopholes. The brand Granta was not founded in 1775 as advertised, but in 1826. Moreover, the existing Granta winery has voluntarily closed its doors at least twice and does not meet the conditions for continued operation. Although the Bowmore Distillery meets this condition, it claims that it was founded in 1779, but it is only based on words and cannot provide any evidence.
In fact, Strathisla Distillery is the oldest continuously operating whiskey distillery in Scotland. Unlike the first two companies that vouched for themselves, Strasse Lassen was endorsed by a third-party institution - the University of Glasgow in Scotland and Guinness World Records.
There is definite historical data to prove that the Strathesela Distillery was built in 1786 and was called Milton Distillery when it was built. In 1870, it was renamed Strathesela. Although the winery experienced two fires in 1876 and 1879, it was rebuilt as quickly as possible, and its appearance is almost the same as it is today. In 1951, Chivas Regal owned Strathisla and has been operating it ever since.
Scotland's newest whiskey distillery
In recent years, opening a whiskey distillery has become a popular thing, and more and more new distilleries are being built.
From 2017 to 2019, there were at least 16 newly established distilleries in Scotland alone, and more new distilleries have been opened in the past two years.
Currently, the latest Scotch whiskey distillery established and opened is GLEN LUSS DISTILLERY.
This brewery opened in early May this year and is the first beer and spirits production base in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Glenloos Distillery will produce a range of premium alcoholic beverages in the future, including single malt Scotch whiskey , native botanical infused gin, several aged and new creation rums and even Small batch vodka and craft beer.
In addition to it, several distilleries will open this year, such as 8 DOORS DISTILLERY and BRORA DISTILLERY in the Highlands, as well as Rosebank Distillery in the central lowlands of Scotland. (ROSEBANK DISTILLERY), it is estimated that this "latest opening record" will change hands soon.
Scotland's largest whiskey distillery
Generally speaking, whether a distillery is large or small refers to its production capacity, not the size of its building area.
Speaking of the winery with the largest production capacity, you may first think of Glenfiddich or The Macallan. Indeed, Glenfiddich has been the distillery with the largest volume and production capacity for many years.
However, just a few years ago, this record was surpassed by the veteran of the whiskey world---The Glenlivet.
In 2018, The Glenlivet doubled the number of fermentation tanks and distillers, increasing its production capacity from 10.5 million liters to 21 million liters, surpassing Glenfiddich and becoming the whiskey distillery with the largest production capacity in Scotland. Sales of single malt whiskey also ranked second, reaching 1.07 million cases.
The whiskey distillery with the smallest production capacity in Scotland
Some people strive for "big but comprehensive", and naturally there are also people who pursue "small but beautiful".
Founded in 1825, Edradour, who is now almost 200 years old, has occupied the title of the smallest whiskey distillery for many years.
Eddore does not shy away from being small, but is proud of its small size. "Scotland's smallest distillery" is written generously on the exterior wall of the distillery. There are only three distillers in the distillery, using the oldest and traditional methods to brew whiskey entirely by hand. There is the smallest whiskey still in Scotland (4,000 liters), which produces only 90,000 liters of distilled liquor a year.
However, time has changed and this smallest record has also changed hands.
Since Eddore expanded its factory in 2018 to double its production capacity, the title of smallest winery fell to Abhainn Dearg, who built the factory in 2008. This winery has a production capacity of only 20,000 liters a year, making it the largest winery. Langleywei is less than one thousandth, and it feels like playing house.
The whiskey distillery with the largest number of shareholders in Scotland
An ordinary distillery only has a few shareholders, but there is a Scottish distillery with more than 3,000 shareholders behind it. It is said that it is the distillery with the most owners in the world. Not too much.
This distillery is called Glen Wyvis and is located in the Dingwall area of the Scottish Highlands . In 2016, the winery launched a crowdfunding campaign. In just 77 days, more than 2,000 people participated. easily raised 2.6 million pounds in funds, and the factory was successfully built in 2017.
Now the company has more than 3,700 shareholders from more than 30 countries or regions. The winery is still continuing to crowdfund and is expected to exceed 4,000 people in the future. Those who aspire to become whiskey distillery owners may wish to invest in one~
Scotland has the most distillers types of whiskey distilleries
Usually, the distillers in whiskey distilleries will maintain one type to maintain the consistency of flavor. However, there are exceptions. Loch Lomain, founded in 1814, is the whiskey distillery with the most types of distillers in Scotland.
Today there are four different types of stills operating at Loch Lomain Distillery. Using traditional pot gooseneck stills, special straight neck stills, Coffey continuous stills and grain stills, Loch Loch is able to uniquely distill nine different single malt flavors.
Scotland's most peated whiskey distillery
Peat whiskey can be said to be a thing that people both love and hate. People who love it flock to it, and people who hate it shy away from it. Many wineries rely on peat to make it popular.
When it comes to representatives of heavy peat whiskey, many people’s first reaction will be Abbey or Laphroaig. But in fact, neither of these two brands is the most heavily peated whiskey.
The truly heaviest peated whiskey is actually Octomore 08.3 launched in 2017 by Octomore, a subsidiary of Bruichladdich, which can be called the "peat beast"!
Octomore 08.3
Its peat phenol value is 309 ppm ~ this is the highest number in the world, and no one can beat it.Being able to produce such amazing peated whiskey, no one should object to saying that it is the distillery with the strongest peat flavor!
Okay, the above are the "7 best" among many Scotch whiskey distilleries, do you all understand them?
Don't go away yet, look down, the wine uncle has also prepared 3 small easter eggs for you.
The oldest bourbon whiskey distillery
The oldest bourbon whiskey distillery in the world is Maker's Mark, located in Loretto, Kentucky, USA. The distillery has been distilling bourbon since 1805. whiskey and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
The oldest whiskey
The oldest existing whiskey in the world is currently recognized by the world as this bottle of Old Ingledew whiskey. The brewing time is thought to date back to the 1850s, possibly between 1763 and Bottled between 1803. Bottling has a history of more than 200 years.
The largest bottle of whiskey
The record for the largest bottle of whiskey in the world is currently held by the British distillery Famous. This bottle is 1.7 meters tall and has a capacity of 228 liters. It was exhibited at the Famous Marquee Experience Center on August 12, 2012, coinciding with the anniversary of the birth of the Famous Marble Distillery. This bottle of wine also took away the previous record of 184 liters held by Jack Daniels .
