Category: Highland
Distiller: Ben Nevis Distillery, Fort William
Owner: Nikka Whisky Distilling Co, Japan
Status: Operational 
| The distillery was built in 1825 by 'Long John' Macdonald, who produced the famous blend Dew of Ben Nevis, which, like the distillery itself, is named after the highest mountain in Scotland. Macdonald stood six feet four inches tall (1.93 meters) and was a renowned figure in the whisky industry. His distillery was the first licensed operation in the area.
In 1955, it was bought by Joseph Hobbs, a colourful character who had made and lost a fortune in Canada during the 1920's in shipping, building, and wines and spirits importing.
Hobbs bought Inverlochy Castle (now a luxurious hotel), Ben Nevis and Lochside distilleries, and introduced patent stills into their operations in order to produce both malt and grain whiskies under the same roof.
The distillery was sold to Nikka, the Japanese distiller, in 1991.
Extract form Charles Maclean`s SCOTCH WHISKY a Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide
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