A History of Brora (the Original Clynelish) Whisky Distillery

Brora Whisky Distillery, located in the rugged Scottish Highlands near Sutherland, is a name synonymous with both quality and historical significance. Its storied past, marked by resilience and reinvention, offers a fascinating glimpse into Scotland’s rich whisky heritage.

From its inception as Clynelish to its contemporary revival, Brora’s journey mirrors the tumultuous yet enduring spirit of the Highland communities.

Founding and Early Years

The distillery was originally established as ‘Clynelish’ in 1819 by the Marquis of Stafford, who later became the Duke of Sutherland.

Brora’s establishment coincided with the Highland Clearances (1814-1820), a period marked by brutal forced evictions of over 3,000 families orchestrated by the Duke of Sutherland and his estate managers.

Approximately 15,000 farmers were displaced from their ancestral lands, resettled along the coast, or sent to distant colonies in Canada and Australia. Those who remained in Brora were employed in the Duke’s various enterprises for very low wages, including the new distillery.

Transition and Growth

The distillery underwent numerous transitions in its early years. After a series of lessees, George Lawson took control in 1846, leading Brora through five decades of steady growth.

The Lawson family’s management ended in 1896 when the distillery was sold to Glasgow blender James Ainslie and his partner John Risk. They undertook significant renovations, modernising the site and expanding its capacity.

20th Century Developments

In 1912 James Ainslie went bankrupt at which point John Risk and Distillers Company Limited took shares in Brora. A few years later John Walker and Sons (from the Johnnie Walker label) took shares in the distillery in 1916. Subsequently, Risk was bought out in 1925 and the Distillers Company Limited (DCL) purchased John Walker and Sons to gain control of Brora Distillery.

Following World War II, demand for whisky blends surged, prompting further expansion. By 1967, it was decided that constructing a new, larger facility—dubbed Clynelish 2—adjacent to the original site would be more efficient than expanding the existing distillery. This new facility marked a significant increase in production capacity, catering to the growing global appetite for Scotch whisky. Clyneslish 1 (the old distillery) closed for a year to reopen production in 1969.

Name Change and Production Shifts

In 1975, legislative changes mandated unique names for distilleries, leading to the original Clynelish being renamed Brora. During this period, Brora became known for its heavily peated malts, a notable departure from its traditional production. This shift was partly due to the temporary closure of DCL’s Caol Ila distillery, necessitating the transfer of peated malt production to Brora. Although peating levels generally decreased after 1977, occasional batches from the 1980s still exhibited a pronounced smoky character.

Credit: Jamie Wilson via Flickr

Closure and Reopening

Brora’s production ceased in 1983, a casualty of industry consolidation and shifting market dynamics. Despite occasional rumours of its revival, the distillery remained dormant for decades. However, in a surprising turn of events, Diageo announced plans in October 2017 to reopen Brora, along with Port Ellen, another storied distillery.

By May 2021, Brora’s reopening was complete, and the first new cask of spirit was filled, marking a triumphant return.

Timeline of Key Events

• 1819: Clynelish distillery established by the Marquis of Stafford
• 1825: John Harper leases the distillery
• 1827: John Matheson leases the distillery
• 1828: James Harper leases the distillery
• 1834: Andrew Ross leases the distillery
• 1846: Managed by George Lawson and family
• 1896: Sold to James Ainslie and John Risk
• 1912: Ainslie goes bankrupt; Risk and Distillers Company Limited take shares
• 1916: John Walker & Sons purchase shares
• 1925: John Walker & Sons buys out Risk
• 1930: DCL takes full control
• 1967: Construction of Clynelish 2 starts
• 1968: Clynelish 2 opens, original distillery closes
• 1969: Clyneslish 1 reopens
• 1972: Heavily peated whisky starts production at Clyneslish 1
• 1975: Original distillery renamed Brora
• 1977: Heavily peated whisky production mostly stops
• 1983: Brora Distillery closed
• 1987: DCL became United Distillers
• 1998: United Distillers, after various mergers, became a division of Diageo
• 2014: Brora released the 40-Year-Old for £6,995, the most expensive single malt scotch whisky at the time
• 2017: Diageo announces plans to reopen Brora
• 2021: Brora Distillery reopens and fills the first new cask
• 2023: Brora donated a 50-Year-Old 1972 single malt the Iris to the Distillers One of One charity auction which sold for £400,000

Investing in Scotch Whisky

It is possible to become part of the storied history of Brora Whisky Distillery by investing in whisky casks. As a newly reopened distillery, they are producing make new spirit to start the process of being turned into Scotch whisky.

UKV International AG works with clients to discover new and exciting opportunities for whisky investment. We find whisky that clients are passionate about and they can use our dedicated whisky storage facility in Edinburgh, which they can visit at a time that suits them.

Speak to our whisky experts and start your whisky investment journey.