North British

Translation: Northern British
Region: Lowlands

Resistance in the heart of the capital

At the North British Distillery, a lot is remarkable. First of all, it does not happen very often that a distillery from its foundation stays in the hands of the same owner for 108 years. That was the case here. And usually distilleries in cute little places are somewhere in the midst of nature. Or, more rarely, in the case of Grain distilleries sometimes in industrial areas on the outskirts of the city. The time-honored Grain Destillerie North British is located in the heart of Scotland's capital, Edinburgh. Below Haymarket, just under two miles from Edinburgh Castle. Direct neighbor is the capital football club with the beautiful name "Heart of Midlothian". Incidentally, this has been around since 1874. Resistance is the trump card in a city whose "New Town" district dates back to the 18th century.

A little history

The distillery was built in 1885 by the North British Distillery Company. The company, an amalgamation of various whiskey blenders, had been founded shortly before by Andrew Usher, John M. Crabbe and William Sanderson. The goal was to counteract the takeover of the neighboring Caledonia Distillery by DCL and its market power in the field of grain whiskeys.
North British quickly established itself. However, by eliminating exports to the United States during Prohibition, whiskey sales in the 1920s plummeted dramatically. The distillery survived this difficult phase and was back on track for success at the end of the 1930s. A new office building was built and another property acquired in Wheatfield
After the Second World War, North British continued to expand. Additional warehouses and offices were created. An explosion in the Still Room was largely overcome in 1992 as well.
The distillery remained independent until 1993, but then went to the Lothian Distillers after 108 years, now part of Diageo.
Produced by North British, Grain Whiskey has been and still is part of many of the world's most successful blends, including Chivas Regal, Cutty Sark, Famous Grouse, Lang's and J & B.

What do I have in the glass?

Grain Whiskey is, even more than the heavier malt, heavily influenced by the barrel and the duration of ripening. The North British Single Grains of independent bottlers such as Cadenhead, Signatory or Douglas Laing, also differ significantly. The impression ranges from delicate vanilla to hearty spicy. But always with a clear sweetness, hints of biscuits or cake - and very "untorfig".

3 reasons to love North British

1) Because without this grain whiskey there would not be a Chivas Regal, Famous Grouse or J & B.
2) Because even the single grain is worth a discovery.
3) Because so much permanence deserves sympathy.

The one drama for the lonely island

A dream that matured for 50 years is the "Director's Cut" 1962/2013 from refill Sherry Butt by Douglas Laing.

numbers and facts

Address: 9 Wheatfield Road, Edinburgh EH112PX
Founded in 1885 by the North British Distillery Company
Status: active
Owner: Lothian Distillers
Capacity: approx. 63,000,000 liters
4 Coffey Stills
Water: From the Pentland Hills
Visitor Center: -
Phone: +44 (0) 131337 3363
Website: www.northbritish.co.uk