Strathmill distillery is one of three distilleries within the Moray town of Keith at the heart of "Malt Whisky Country". Unlike Keith's other two distilleries of Strathisla and Glen Keith, however, Strathmill is not owned by Chivas (part of the Pernod Ricard group) but since 1997 by Diageo who operate it for the production of blends such as J&B whisky.
The site had originally been home to a corn mill, established by A. G. Johnstone as Strathisla Mills in 1823, but following a boom in the whisky industry between 1890 and 1899 it was converted into a distillery in 1891. Some of the buildings therefore date to before its whisky production days. It was during this era of high demand that some thirty other distilleries were constructed in the area.[1]
It was in 1895 when gin producers W. & A. Gilbey bought the distillery that the name was changed from Glenisla-Glenlivet to its current name of Strathmill, the name deriving from the Gaelic word 'Strath' meaning "shallow valley" and "mill" relating to its former use.[2]
in 1997, Diageo bought the distillery for production of malt for J&B blended whisky.[3]
Production equipment consists of two wash stills, two spirit stills and seven warehouses on site; five traditional dunnage warehouses and two racked warehouses. It has a production capacity of 1,800,000 litres of pure alcohol per year.[4]
Diageo use the majority of the malt for primarily J&B blended whisky.[5]
