Glen Keith

"She's not dead, she's just sleeping" – that could sum up the story of Glen Keith. Mothballed in 1999, the distillery seemed lost for good for over a decade. Originally founded in 1957 by Chivas Brothers, a subsidiary of the Canadian group Seagram, Glen Keith was the first new Speyside distillery since the great whisky crash of 1898 when it opened in 1958.

After a 14-year slumber, the site was unexpectedly revived: production has resumed at Glen Keith since June 2013, following the distillery's transfer, along with Chivas Brothers, from Seagram to Pernod Ricard in 2001. With Glen Keith 21 Year Old, you will find a rare bottling from this once presumed-dead Speyside distillery in our selection.

Why was Glen Keith special for Speyside?

Sam Bronfman, head of the Canadian drinks giant Seagram, planned the construction of a new distillery through his subsidiary Chivas Brothers to meet demand for light blending whiskies. Construction began in Keith, Banffshire, in 1957, and Glen Keith began operating in 1958 as the first new Speyside distillery since the devastating whisky crash of 1898. Unusually for the region, Glen Keith initially triple-distilled its spirit, rather than the double distillation typical elsewhere in Speyside. In 1970, two more stills were added – gas-fired, a first for all of Scotland – and the distillery switched to classic double distillation.

How did the distillery return from its slumber?

In 1999, Glen Keith was mothballed, as its malt was primarily destined for the Chivas Brothers blends Chivas Regal, Passport, and 100 Pipers, and demand had declined. In 2001, Seagram sold its spirits division, including Chivas Brothers, to Pernod Ricard. It was only in April 2013 – after 14 years of silence – that Glen Keith resumed production, showing ever since that even seemingly permanently closed distilleries can deserve a second chance.

The most popular bottling at a glance

1. Glen Keith 21 Year Old
An official distillery bottling from before the closure.
Taste: Soft and fruity with light spice.
Serving suggestion: For collectors and connoisseurs wanting to experience this distillery's turbulent history in a glass.

Facts and figures

Location: Keith, Speyside. Founded: 1957 by Chivas Brothers (Seagram). Mothballed: 1999. Revived: April 2013. Owner: Pernod Ricard.