Strathclyde was established in 1927 by the Scottish Grain Distillers Ltd. It was built to meet the growing demand for grain whisky, which was increasingly being used in blends during the 20th century.
Over the years, Strathclyde has been owned by various companies. It is currently part of the Chivas Brothers, which is a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. Chivas Brothers is also the owner of other famous distilleries like The Glenlivet, Ballantine’s, and Aberlour, making Strathclyde a key component of some of the most well-known blended Scotch brands.
The distillery is situated in Glasgow, right on the River Clyde. Its location near a major city allowed it to be well-connected for both sourcing raw materials (like grain) and distributing whisky.
Strathclyde primarily produces grain whisky, which is a key ingredient in many blended Scotch whiskies. Unlike single malt whisky, grain whisky is typically made from a mix of cereals (corn, wheat, and barley) and is distilled in column stills (also known as continuous stills). This type of whisky is generally lighter, smoother, and less complex than malt whisky, but it can have subtle flavors that develop with aging.
