Dalwhinnie Whisky is made at the distillery which is actually the highest in Scotland at 1057 feet above sea level. It has had a succession of different owners over the years but Dalwhinnie whisky is a fine example of a slightlier peatier whisky than you would normally find from the Highland Whisky distilleries.

The Distillery was first established in 1898 and was set up because of the abundance of peat and fresh water from a nearby lochan. The main road (now the A9) and the railway line were also present giving good communication links. The area is almost the geographical center of Scotland.

The Dalwhinnie whisky distillery was originally known as the Strathspey Distillery but economic problems forced its closure only a very short time after it went into production. The distillery was then bought by AP Blyth and became the Dalwhinnie distillery officially.

The building was improved considerably after this.

Cook & Bernheimer of New York and Baltimore (at the time America's largest distillers) then bought the Dalwhinnie whisky distillery in 1905 but with prohibition in 1920 they then sold it on to Macdonald Greenlees & Williams Ltd of Leith. This was to be its last but one move. They sold it, to the company that was to become known as United Distillers and Vintners, in 1926.

Despite all this production had continued and despite a fire than required considerable rebuilding in 1934 to 1938, when it reopened it was the advent of WWII that finally shut ti down for an extended period. Barley was too precious as a food product at that time.

After the war production resumed with a refit in the 1960s and a major modernisation starting in1992, to become the Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery that we now know, in 1995.

The main A9 now bypasses the village but that actually makes it a much more attractive place to visit. This has happened with many of the towns on this very busy road and you no longer need to take your life in your hands crossing from one side to the other.

As with many modern distilleries the Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery welcomes visitors and you get the chance to try the fine malty drink with hints of honey and a peaty follow that is the 15yr old Dalwhinnie.

Well worth a visit.

You can find out more about the area and Highland Malt Whiskyin general by clicking on the link or you can see one of the other Highland malt whisky producers at the Edradour Highland Malt Whisky Distillery by clicking on that link.