Craigellachie was built in 1890 by Charles Doig on behalf of Sir Peter Mackie (White Horse) and Alexander Edward, who wanted to make a more delicate and fruity whisky than those usually found at the time. Edward was also responsible for Aultmore, Dallas Dhu and Benromach. He left the business in 1900 and sold his shares to Mackie, who used Craigellachie for his blends White Horse, Old Smuggler and Old Gaelic. Craigellacie became the property of Distillers Company Limited (Diageo’‘s predecessor), who bought White Horse Distillers in 1927 and then sold the distillery to the Bacardi group in 1998, at the same time as Aberfeldy, Aultmore and Royal Brackla. For a long time remaining in the shadow of the blends it was used in for its fruity, waxy and meaty characteristics, Craigellachie was finally released as a single malt in the 1990s, with appearances in the Flora and Fauna and Rare Malt ranges. Today it has its own line of single malts, launched in 2014 as part of Dewar’‘s Last Great Malts.

Launched in 2014 at the same time as the Craigellachie 13 year old, 17 year old and 19 year old, Craigellachie 21 year old is part of the Last Great Malts range from Dewar’’s, inspired by Diageo’’s Classic Malts. Bacardi launched this range to highlight the individual qualities of the various whiskies used in its famous blend and responsible for its character. These were Aberfeldy, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, The Deveron (Macduff) and Aultmore.