North British distillery

Introduction to North British Distillery

A distillery with a passion for grain whisky

North British is one of Scotland’s largest and most significant grain whisky distilleries, situated in the heart of Edinburgh. Operating since the late 19th century, this industrial powerhouse has become a cornerstone of the Scotch whisky industry, producing high-quality grain whisky that forms the backbone of many world-renowned blended whiskies.

Though less visible to the casual whisky consumer than many malt distilleries, North British plays a crucial role in the whisky landscape, operating on a scale that few other distilleries can match.

Why we have a soft spot for North British

At Vault of Spirits, we appreciate distilleries that excel in their specialized craft, even when they operate behind the scenes. North British stands out for its consistent quality and the specific character it brings to blends, while its rare single grain bottlings offer whisky enthusiasts a glimpse into the pure expression of grain whisky’s potential.

The distillery’s commitment to efficiency and quality, combined with the unique sweet character of its spirit, makes North British bottlings particularly intriguing to collectors and connoisseurs alike.

The History of North British

Origin and development

North British Distillery was established in 1885 by a consortium of blenders led by Andrew Usher, William Sanderson, and John Crabbie – all significant names in the Scotch whisky world. Founded during a period of innovation in the industry, the distillery was created to provide an independent source of grain whisky for blenders who were increasingly dependent on the powerful Distillers Company Limited (DCL).

The distillery began production in 1887 and has been operating continuously ever since, surviving two World Wars, prohibition, and the various ups and downs of the whisky industry. Throughout its history, North British has maintained its independence of spirit while adapting to changing technologies and market demands.

The people behind

Today, North British is jointly owned by Diageo and The Edrington Group, two giants of the Scotch whisky world. This unique ownership structure reflects the distillery’s importance to the blended whisky market, as its output is crucial for brands like Johnnie Walker, J&B, The Famous Grouse, and Cutty Sark.

The distillery is managed by a team of dedicated professionals who maintain the traditions established over more than a century while embracing modern production techniques and environmental standards.

The Craft and Production

From raw materials to finished product

Production at North British centers around maize (corn) and wheat as its primary raw materials, rather than the malted barley used in single malt production. This focus on cereal grains is characteristic of grain whisky production.

The distillation takes place in tall column stills (also known as Coffey or continuous stills), which operate continuously rather than in batches like pot stills. This method of distillation creates a lighter, cleaner spirit with higher alcohol content than malt whisky.

The North British stills can produce a remarkable volume of spirit, making it one of the largest distilleries in Scotland by capacity.

Maturation and aging

The new make spirit from North British is typically matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, which impart vanilla, coconut, and sweet spice notes to the whisky. The distillery maintains extensive warehousing facilities where casks mature slowly in Scotland’s cool, damp climate.

While much of North British’s output is destined for blends after relatively short maturation periods, the whisky can develop remarkable complexity and character when allowed to age for extended periods. Independent bottlings of well-aged North British grain whisky have gained cult status among collectors and connoisseurs.

Selected Products from North British

North British Single Grain – An introduction to the house style

While North British doesn’t release its own official bottlings, various independent bottlers offer expressions of its whisky. These single grain releases typically showcase a sweet, smooth character with notes of vanilla, toffee, and coconut, supported by a creamy mouthfeel that makes them surprisingly approachable despite their high strength.

These bottlings offer an excellent entry point to understand the distillery’s distinctive profile and the character of quality grain whisky in general.

Aged North British Expressions – An experience for connoisseurs

Well-aged expressions of North British, often 20-40 years old, present a more complex drinking experience. Expect rich toffee and caramel notes, exotic fruits like mango and papaya, delicate spices, and a luxurious, silky texture that belies grain whisky’s industrial origins.

These mature bottlings demonstrate that grain whisky, when given sufficient time in quality casks, can rival the complexity and depth of much more celebrated single malts – often at more accessible prices.

Visit the distillery

Tours and tastings

Unlike many Scottish distilleries, North British does not offer public tours or tastings, maintaining its focus on production rather than tourism. The industrial nature of the site and its location in Edinburgh’s urban environment make it less suited to visitor experiences than more picturesque rural distilleries.

Enthusiasts interested in experiencing North British whisky are better served seeking out independent bottlings or visiting specialized whisky bars in Edinburgh that may stock rare examples of this distillery’s output.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is North British Distillery?

North British is one of Scotland’s largest grain whisky distilleries, producing light, sweet grain whisky primarily for use in blended Scotch. Located in Edinburgh, it was established in 1885 and continues to be a major supplier to the Scotch whisky industry, with its spirit forming a key component in many famous blended whiskies.

Where is North British located?

The distillery is situated in Gorgie, Edinburgh, Scotland. Its urban setting is unusual for a Scottish distillery of its size, but reflects its historical development and the practical considerations of its industrial scale production.

What characterizes North British whisky?

North British is known for producing a clean, light grain spirit with natural sweetness. When matured, its whisky typically develops vanilla, toffee, and coconut notes with a smooth, creamy texture. Older expressions can develop remarkable complexity with tropical fruit notes and rich oak influence.

Where can I buy whisky from North British?

You can find selected bottlings of North British from independent bottlers at Vault of Spirits. We carefully select the finest examples – including rare aged expressions – to offer you something truly special from this influential but often overlooked distillery.