History

Founder and Establishment

Alexander Bonthrone (1798-1890) established Stratheden Distillery in 1829, when he was 31 years old, and operated the stills for six decades almost until his death in 1890 – one of Scotland's oldest distilleries. He held civil titles such as Baillie to the town's magistrate, Justice of the Peace and Municipal Councillor, and as a liberal-minded adviser he advised Herbert Asquith on whisky matters. Asquith later became Prime Minister (1908-1916) and opposed Lloyd George's proposal for prohibition in Britain.

Family and the Town's Role

Alexander's younger brother John Bonthrone (1799-1881) was described as a pioneer of the malt trade and one of Scotland's first commercial maltsters. He was instrumental in the construction of the Fife & Kinross Railway, with the station at Auchtermuchty opened in 1857.

Location and Water Source

Stratheden was centrally located in Auchtermuchty and surrounded by the Lomond Hills, a well-known area for smugglers and illegitimate distilleries. The water source was a tributary to the Eden, channeled from Lovers' Pool via an aqueduct and was very soft with an earthy and salty edge.

End and Legacy

The end came with the loss of the important export market to the USA during Prohibition in the 1920s. The distillery stopped production in early 1924 and closed in 1926. The maltings remained in use until the 1970s; the warehouses were bought by Arthur Bell in 1931 and were in use by United Distillers until 1989. The old warehouses still exist on Distillery Street, and the laurel-green color inspires the Stratheden bottle today.

Production/Manufacture

Equipment and Distillation Pattern

A mash tun described as a copper vessel of 2,000 gallons; a wooden tun 11 feet in diameter and 4 1/2 feet deep. The wash-still was 960 gallons and the spirit-still 460 gallons, and the latter still was bought from a smuggler about 60 years before 1829. Alexander Bonthrone would not swap for 50 newer versions and attributed the whisky's quality to the water and the small, old stills.

Ingredients

Bere barley was the preferred type; six-row barley yielded relatively low yields and was difficult to keep uniform. This remained until the late 1940s, when two-row barley became available and provided a fuller malt profile. Yeast cultures were harvested from the remains of washbacks after fermentation; commercial yeast became available from the 1870s, with DCL building a yeast house at Cameronbridge Distillery. Peat was imported from Orkney and contributed a maritime note.

Whisky and Maturation

Distillation in the early 19th century was generally unaged. In 1887, five merchants took over all the distillery's production – a sign of high quality. Cask materials were sherry, and in December 1924 there were recorded 475 hogsheads and 131 butts. These were sold on bond to Arthur Bell and Sons.

End and Aftermath

When U.S. Prohibition hit, Stratheden lost its most important export market. Production stopped in 1924 and the distillery closed in 1926. The maltings remained in use until the 1970s; the warehouses were bought by Arthur Bell in 1931 and used by United Distillers until 1989. The old warehouses still exist on Distillery Street, and the laurel-green color inspires the Stratheden bottle today.

Products/Whisky Series

No information in the text about current products or the whisky series, as Stratheden is described as a historical distillery.

Visits/Experiences

No specific information about visits or experiences; the text notes that the distillery was located in Auchtermuchty and provides historical context.

Philosophy

Alexander Bonthrone regarded the quality of the whisky as a result of the water and the small, old stills. The particular softness of the water and an earthy/salty note were regarded as central to the character. Orkney peat and external yeast were added to influence the style and profile.