We had friends visiting us from Ireland at our cottage in Speyside a few months ago. Despite living in the heart of Scotland’s whisky country, we’ve probably visited more distilleries as tourists than we have since buying the cottage! So, with visitors to entertain and the weather looking typically Scottish, a distillery tour seemed like the obvious choice.

After a bit of discussion, we settled on Strathisla in Keith. Not only is it one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries, it’s also one of the prettiest. With its twin pagoda roofs, whitewashed buildings and beautifully maintained grounds, it looks exactly how you imagine a Scottish distillery should look.  In fact, if someone asked me to picture a Speyside distillery, this would probably be it.

Founded in 1786, Strathisla is recognised as the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Highlands and is perhaps best known as the spiritual home of Chivas Regal. Even if you’ve never had a dram of Strathisla itself, chances are you’ve tasted its spirit before.

A Step Back in Time

Our guide began by sharing the fascinating history of the distillery, originally known as Milltown Distillery before eventually becoming Strathisla. Over more than two centuries it has survived fires, changes of ownership and the many ups and downs of the whisky industry.

Unlike some modern visitor attractions, Strathisla hasn’t lost its sense of authenticity. The buildings themselves seem to tell the story, from the traditional stonework to the iconic pagoda roofs that have become synonymous with Speyside whisky.

Following the Whisky Journey

The guided tour took us through the whisky-making process, from milling and mashing through to fermentation and distillation. We even got to see the distillery’s water source, the River Isla, which runs through the grounds – so it turns out they don’t just fill the stills from the tap!

Even if you’ve visited distilleries before, there’s always something fascinating about seeing the process up close. The combination of science, tradition and craftsmanship is impressive, and our guide explained everything in a way that was informative without becoming overwhelming.

One of the highlights for me was the still house. There is something quite mesmerising about rows of gleaming copper stills quietly doing what they’ve done for generations.

We ended the tour in the warehouse, which is stacked in the traditional dunnage style. The rows of casks seem to disappear into the darkness of the cool warehouse, stretching much further than you’d expect. There is even a secure area for particularly rare casks, including some owned by famous names such as Sir Alex Ferguson.

Time for a Tasting

After all the talk of mashing, fermentation and distillation, it was finally time for the important bit – the tasting.

We were taken to their new laboratory like tasting room, which felt we were about to embark on an experiement! Here we were guided through a selection of whiskies and encouraged to take our time, exploring the aromas and flavours that make Speyside malts so distinctive.

We sampled three very different whiskies, each showcasing a different side of the Chivas portfolio.

Royal Salute 21 Year Old was undoubtedly the most luxurious of the trio. Smooth and rich, it opened with notes of ripe orchard fruits, honey and vanilla, followed by hints of spice and oak. The finish was long and warming, with a depth and elegance that reflected its years of maturation.

Chivas Regal Extra offered a bolder character. Rich fruitcake, caramel and cinnamon were immediately apparent, with sweet sherry influences adding layers of dried fruit and toffee. It felt approachable and indulgent, with plenty of flavour without being overpowering.

The final dram was a Strathisla 11 Year Old, giving us the opportunity to taste the distillery’s spirit in a more direct form. Lighter and fresher than the blends, it displayed classic Speyside characteristics with notes of honey, pear, apple and gentle vanilla. There was a lovely malty sweetness throughout, balanced by subtle oak and spice on the finish.

Tasting the whiskies side by side was particularly interesting. The Royal Salute demonstrated the complexity that comes with age, while the Chivas Regal Extra showcased the art of blending.

The Strathisla 11 Year Old, meanwhile, allowed the distinctive character of the distillery itself to shine through and ended up being my favourite of the three. Perhaps it was because we’d just spent an hour learning about the distillery’s history and production, but there was something satisfying about tasting the spirit in its purest form.

It was also entertaining to watch my friends’ reactions. One is fairly new to whisky and the other simply doesn’t like it at all – something her facial expressions made abundantly clear after each tasting!

As someone who enjoys learning the stories behind what is in the glass, I found it fascinating that although relatively few bottles leave the distillery bearing the Strathisla name, whisky lovers around the world have almost certainly tasted its spirit. As the heart of every bottle of Chivas Regal, Strathisla plays a central role in one of the world’s most recognised Scotch whiskies.

Whether you’re a seasoned whisky enthusiast or someone who simply enjoys the occasional dram, the tasting provides a lovely conclusion to the tour.

Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely. Whether you’re a whisky enthusiast or simply looking for an interesting afternoon out in Speyside, Strathisla is well worth a visit.

For me, the appeal wasn’t just the whisky. The history, beautiful setting and stories behind one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries made it a genuinely enjoyable afternoon. Even if whisky isn’t your main interest, there’s plenty here to appreciate.

And if you do happen to enjoy a dram, that’s an added bonus.

Visitor Information

Strathisla Distillery is located in Keith, in the heart of Speyside, and forms part of Scotland’s famous Malt Whisky Trail. Tours can be booked online in advance and, particularly during the summer months, I’d recommend doing so to avoid disappointment.

Have you visited Strathisla or any of the other Speyside distilleries? I’d love to hear which one is your favourite.