Benrinnes Distillery, Aberlour: Heavy Malt from the Mountain
Benrinnes at a glance
| Region | Speyside (near Aberlour, Moray) |
| Founded | 1826 |
| Owner | Diageo |
| Visitor centre | No — production-only |
| Tours | No public tours |
| Opening | Not open to the public |
| Website | malts.com |
Overview
Benrinnes, on the northern slopes of the great whisky mountain Ben Rinnes, makes a heavy, meaty, slightly sulphury malt — the product of an unusual partial triple distillation and worm-tub condensers — that is a robust backbone for blends.
The history
Benrinnes was founded in 1826, rebuilt after the devastating “Muckle Spate” flood of 1829 washed the original away, and has worked ever since as a Diageo blending malt high on the mountain.
The water & the land
Benrinnes draws on the Scurran and Rowantree Burns, rising on Ben Rinnes.
Benrinnes had no founding clan — it was a commercial venture on Ben Rinnes near Aberlour, in historic Grant country.
Visiting
Benrinnes is not open to the public — it is a working production distillery. Its whisky appears mainly in blends and in occasional official or independent single-malt bottlings.
Nearby & more whisky
- Also on Ben Rinnes: Glenfarclas
- Nearby at Carron: Dailuaine
- The whole picture: Scotch whisky — the full guide
Sources
- Benrinnes distillery — Wikipedia.
- Diageo; Whiskipedia.