I’d assumed that the oldest operational distillery in the Scottish Highlands would be tucked away in a remote valley, far from the prying eyes of excitable enthusiasts. After all, prior to its conversion into a whisky distillery in 1786, it was a brewery operated by a monastery and monks live in seclusion.
But Strathisla Distillery is just a five-minute walk from the guesthouse I am putting up at and sits by major roads, conveniently located relative to its purpose. Upon arrival, I learn that the “home of Chivas Regal”, as it is commonly referred to because it is the first distillery owned by Chivas Brothers, regularly holds tours and tastings. In fact, the first place visitors pass through is a gift shop with a comprehensive selection. The doors are essentially wide open to visitors.
I’m here on the invitation of Royal Salute, the blended Scotch whisky brand that is bottled here at Strathisla by Chivas Brothers. Nathan Wood, Global Brand Manager, says Royal Salute chose this distillery for several reasons. For one, the “mother distillery” is central to the Chivas story and deeply rooted in the traditions of Scottish whisky-making and local communities.
In addition, the Speyside region has a reputation for producing some of the world’s finest whiskies due to its distinctive terroir.
Environmental factors also play a role. Mild winters and cool summers create ideal conditions for maturation, resulting in complex flavours without the influence of temperature fluctuations. The Rothes Burn stream also provides pure, soft water which lends smoothness to the whiskies.
We hear the monolithic machinery chugging away steadily as we meander through a labyrinth of rooms. Wood points out that traditional pot stills with bulbous bodies give the spirits maximum exposure to copper. This is crucial to achieving the elegant profiles of the brand’s whiskies.
Curiously, he asks that we turn off the camera flash when we take photos. “Flammable spirit is actively being produced here,” he explains. “The use of camera flash is prohibited by health and safety regulations to ensure no sparks are created during production.”
We enter the Royal Salute vault, where whisky casks are kept under lock and key. Visitors on the Royal Salute experience tour have the opportunity to sample one of the brand’s oldest blends, which was distilled in 1962 in the Stone of Destiny cask, a first-fill Oloroso Sherry cask.
I’ve never had the pleasure of tasting a drink this old, so I take my time in chewing before swallowing. Expectedly, it has a remarkable depth of flavour.
We finish with a tasting of three categories of Royal Salute whiskies: the classic blend, the old, rare blend, and the limited edition blend. The offerings are rotational, but if you’re familiar with the collection, you might be delighted to know that the old and rare blend features whiskies aged 25 to 38 years. The 25 Year Old Treasured Blend, 30 Year Old Key To The Kingdom, and 38 Year Old Stone of Destiny are just a few examples.
The limited-edition blend comprises the 26 Year Old Kingdom Collection, 21 Year Old Polo Collection, and 21 Year Old Fashion Collection.
If you ever find yourself in Aberdeen, consider a stop at Strathisla Distillery for the Royal Salute experience tour. You can at least say you’ve been to the shadowy confines of a whisky vault at one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries. Just remember to switch the flash off before snapping away for the ‘gram.
