Balmenach distillery
Single malts from the Speyside distillery Balmenach are usually only available from independent bottlers. Otherwise, the spicy-floral whisky wanders into the blends of its owner.
Balmenach Whisky
The Balmenach whisky distillery is located in the middle of the Speyside, between Grantown-on-Spey and Bridge of Avon.
House Style
What does Balmenach single malt taste like?Balmenach Single Malt Whisky is slightly peaty on the one hand, but also clearly flowery on the other. Overall, you can expect a hearty whisky at Balmenach bottlings, which you can also enjoy with food. Older bottlings are often attributed a distinct heather aroma.
Manufacturing
How is Balmenach whisky produced?The production volume of the Balmenach distillery is about 2 million liters annually. They distill in six stills. A stainless steel mash tun and six Douglas fir fermentation tanks are also used. In 1991 a Balmenach single malt was released in the Flora & Fauna series, but it is now sadly no longer available outside of auction. There is currently no original bottling from the distillery. From time to time, independent bottlers like Gordon and MacPhail offer a Balmenach Single Malt.
History
The distillery was apparently founded in 1824. This made the distillery one of the first in the region characterized by illicit distillation. The distillery was operated continuously in the 19th century. However, the owners did not invest enough in the structure of the distillery, so the building gradually fell into disrepair. During the First World War the distillery was closed and only when a group of blenders took over the distillery in 1922 did the distillery develop better. In the 1930 the distillery was acquired by Scotch Malt Distillers, DCL’s malt production arm, and in 1991 passed to to United Distillers. In 1993 United Distillers closed the distillery. In 1997 Inver House Gordon bought the distillery and revitalized Balmenach. The distillery is also the home of Caorunn Gin.
Balmenach factsheet
| Name | Pronounced | AKA | Region | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balmenach | bal*may*nack | Inver House Distillers | Speyside | Scotland |
| Status | Active | Whisky Type | Website | Tours Available |
| Active | 1824 - Present | Malt | Balmenach | Tour Link |
| Manager | Distiller | Blender | Owned by | Parent Group |
| Chic Morgan | ThaiBev |
Balmenach Timeline:
1823: James Macgregor received a visit on his farm, on which he kept an illicit Still, from the local exciseman, who was suspicious about seeing a building with a mill-wheel and a lade. Asked what is was James told him that it was a peat shed. After receiving generous hospitality upon leaving James got the gentle advice to take out a license for his peat shed
1824: Said to have been founded by James McGregor
1824-Aug-18: A ledger entry recorded the sale of ”10 gallons of aqua 11 over-proof”, at 9 shillings per gallon duty-paid, to William Milne, of Broad Street, Aberdeen
1825-67: James McGregor licensee
1878-82: James Macgregor died and was succeeded by his brother, John MacGregor, who was summoned home from New Zealand
1879: During the great storm that blew down the railway bridge across the River Tay, the Distillery chimney collapsed and a fire was fighted by a Stillman by opening the Discharge Cocks preventing the fire from spreading
1896: John McGregor & Son
1897: Balmenach-Glenlivet Distillery Ltd. was formed and the distillery was linked to the station at Cromdale by a private railway
1920: Company reconstructed
1923-24: Owners Peter Dawson Ltd.
1930: All shares bought by Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd. (SMD)
1941: Distillery closed and used as a billet for the Royal Corps of Signals
1947: Distillery reopened
1962: Extended from four to six stills. Licensed to John Crabbie & Co. Ltd., Leith. Saladin maltings and dark-grain plant
1968: Mash House renovated
1971: Stills became steamheated
1992: Licensed to United Malt & Grain Distillers Ltd. (UMGD)
1993: Announced by United Distillers (UD) that distillery will be mothballed which was done that year
1997: Sold to Inver House Distillers Ltd.
Can I tour Balmenach?
No, unfortunately Balmenach distillery is not open to the public for tours
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