Early reports suggest that whisky was made in the area in 1779, but it was John Simpson in 1816 who took out an official license to produce whisky.

In 1837 Wm & Jas.Mutter, a blending firm from Glascow took control and ran the distillery while its reputation grew. Several owners would appear in the future until 1963, when Stanley P. Morrison seized control. The Morrison era was an era of glory regarding legendary bottlings and the modernization of the distillery.

In 1989 Japanese distiller Suntory bought a stake in the distillery and by 1994 they would be the owners until today. The distillery’s capacity can reach about 2 million liters per year.