Heather Dew Profile

Blended Scotch Whisky

Heather Dew was one of a number of blends including Glen Dew and the unfortunately named V.O.M from the Glasgow whisky firm of Mitchell Brothers.

In the 1970s it was being sold in a standard bottled that mentioned three Speyside distilleries: Coleburn, Glenlivet and Longmorn. How much of these malts were actually in the blend is unclear. Far more interesting for collectors are ceramic jugs named ‘The Greybeard’ and filled with Heather Dew.

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  • Production type
    Blended Scotch

Heather Dew History

It is unclear when Mitchell Brothers began, though an 1885 trademark for its Heather Dew Scotch whisky suggests the company dates from the end of the 19th century. Doubtless it suffered along with the rest of the industry from the hangover that followed the late Victorian whisky boom.

In 1913 the firm was acquired by the Distillers Finance Corporation of Ireland which owned eight of the country’s leading distillers and some of the top blenders in Dublin and Belfast. After the First World War the company was taken over by DCL, yet Mitchell Brothers remained an entity as the licensee of the North Port distillery in Brechin until it closed for good in 1983.

Ceramic jugs of Heather Dew The Greybeard continued to be produced until at least the mid-1930s, and perhaps even up until 1942, when their manufacturer Possil Pottery was dissolved.

By 1997, the trademark for Heather Dew was allowed to elapse.

Timeline

  • Late 1800s Mitchell Brothers is founded in Glasgow
  • 1885 Mitchell Brothers registers a trademark for Heather Dew Scotch whisky
  • 1908 Heather Dew is being sold in the US
  • 1913 Mitchell Brothers is acquired by the Distillers Finance Corporation (DFC)
  • 1922 DFC is bought by the DCL
  • Mid-1930s Heather Dew whisky is bottled in ceramic jugs by Possil Pottery

Owners

Diageo logo

Current owner

Previous owners

See also

  • The Glenlivet The Glenlivet The Glenlivet Distillery & brand

    The Glenlivet

    Globally popular Speyside single malt.

  • Longmorn Longmorn Longmorn Distillery & brand

    Longmorn

    Chivas-owned filling for blends.

  • Coleburn Coleburn Coleburn Distillery & brand

    Coleburn

    This shy Speyside distillery was more famous for its experimental work than its single malt.

  • Chivas Regal Chivas Regal Chivas Regal Brand

    Chivas Regal

    The world’s first luxury blended whisky owned by Chivas Brothers is a lesson in survival.

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