Blair Athol

Blair Athol is a single malt whisky that is produced in the picturesque Highland town of Pitlochry. Despite its well-attended visitor centre, Blair Athol is more of an insider tip, as the distillery processes the lion's share of its single malt in the popular Bell's Blended Scotch. As a single malt, you can find the delicious Highlander in the Flora and Fauna collection with the Blair Athol 12 year old or from independent bottlers. Blair Athol is a soft, nutty single malt with a malty sweetness. The use of sherry casks infuses the whisky with wonderful notes of chocolate and dark fruit. Have fun discovering it!

The "L" makes all the difference.

It's easy to get confused: The distillery we are talking about here is called "Blair Athol". Spelt with an "L" at the back and located in the small town of Pitlochry. Just a few miles further north is a place called "Blair Atholl". It is spelt with two "L "s. And it also has an attraction to offer: Blair Castle, a snow-white picture-book castle built in 1269. It is the ancestral seat of the Duke of Atholl, who also owns the only legal private army in Europe. Our tip: Blair Atholl is well worth a visit. But the single malt from Blair Athol definitely tastes better.

What does Blair Athol mean? The translation of Blair Athol is "Plain of Atholl".

Where is Blair Athol located? The Blair Athol distillery is located in the centre of the small Highland village of Pitlochry, on the edge of which the Edradour Distillery is also located. You can hardly miss it, as it is located directly on the main road. Pitlochry is located in the central Highlands at the southern foothills of the Cairngorm National Park. Blair Athol is therefore a pure Highland whisky.

3 reasons to love Blair Athol

1) Because the front façade surrounded by wild vines is so photogenic.
2) Because very few people can list 1798 as their year of birth.
3) Because you spontaneously want to hug the malt.

What does Blair Athol whisky taste like?

The Blair Athol is a fine, nutty malt with a medium body and delicate sherry sweetness. A hint of chocolate? Yes, there is. And spices... and... Try it!

Our recommendation from Blair Athol

Despite the size of the distillery, Blair Athol does not actually have its own standard bottling. The Blair Athol 12 year old from the Flora and Fauna collection from the owner Diageo comes closest to a standard. This wonderfully smooth yet full-bodied single malt impresses with warm tones of sherry, nuts and chocolate.

A little history of Blair Athol

The distillery was founded in 1798 by John Stewart and Robert Robertson, but at that time it was called Aldour Distillery after the nearby Allt Dour stream.
In 1825, James Robertson expanded the distillery and renamed it Blair Athol. In 1882, Peter Mackenzie & Company Distillers Ltd. bought the distillery and expanded it further
Blair Athol was mothballed in 1932. Just one year later, Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd. bought the disused distillery, but production did not start until 1949 after further renovation work.
In 1973, the number of pot stills was increased from two to four.
In 1985, Guinness-owned United Distillers acquired the company Arthur Bell & Sons and with it Blair Athol. The visitor centre opened in 1987.

The malts from Blair Athol form the heart of the successful blended Scotch whisky "Bell's", which accounts for around 90% of total production.

Figures & Facts about Blair Athol

Address: Perth Road, Pitlochry , Perthshire PH16 5LY
Founded: 1798 by John Stewart and Robert Robertson
Status: active
Owner: Diageo
Capacity: approx. 2,500,000 litres
2 wash stills (13,000 l)
2 spirit stills (11,500 l)
Water: Allt Dour Burn
Visitor Centre: Yes
Phone: +44 (0)1796 / 482003
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com