Strathisla, the hidden treasure of Chivas Regal

We introduce in this small space a whisky made in, following the opinions, the oldest working distillery in Scotland. Alexander Milne and George Taylor founded it in 1786 in the heart of the region of Speyside, with the name of Milltown Distillery. In 1828 it was bought by William Lonmore and it suffered two horrible fires in 1976 and in 1879. At the end of the XIX century it started to be called non-officially Strathisla. It was from 1951 when Chivas Regal (property of Seagram’s at that time) bought it in a judicial sale.

After the II World War Chivas wanted to buy it to George Pomeroy, but the price was too high and that is why the negotiations were broken. The following year, in 1949, George Pomeroy was accused of capital flight and the distillery went bankrupt. In April 1950, Chivas won the property in the judicial sale that took place in Aberdeen. He paid £71,000. At the end of 2001 the distilleries of the group Chivas & Glenlivet were bought by the French group Pernord-Ricard.

For more information of the distillery, it is one of the most beautiful in Scotland. It has the famous pagoda roof and it is located in the shore of the River Island in Keith, with quality water and very close to the barley fertile regions as Moray or Banffshire’s. The name of Strathisla is Gaelic and it makes reference to a river island that is in front of the distillery. The word Strath means flat. 

The water used to make this whisky is taken from the well “Fons Bulliens”, a well that is famous because of the purity of its water. In fact, it was already known in the XII century when the Dominican monks used it to make the beer.

Casks used in Jerez are used for the 12 months of the maturity.

TASTING

Original bottle, well dress with an engraving instead of a label. Alcoholic volume 43%.

Sight: Wonderful old gold color. Bright and clean.

Nose: Difficult and attractive impression. Citrus notes (orange), flowers, sweet pastry, spices (vanilla, white pepper), wood and honey.

Mouth: Powerful and elegant attack, dry and well balanced. There are mainly sweet notes, fruity (mature orange and peach), raisins, Jerez wood and malt. The end is long route, soft with vanilla and sweet notes.

An excellent malt whisky, the problem is that a great part of its production is used to make Chivas, including the Royal Salute, that is why it is not easy to find it. Its price is 35€, very good PQR.