Craigellachie Distillery, nestled in the heart of Speyside, underwent a monumental reconstruction between 1964 and 1965 under the stewardship of D.C.L. (Distillers Company Limited), which saw the production capacity doubled from two to four stills. This expansion preserved the distillery's distinctive robust character, often described as 'meaty' and sulphuric, derived from its traditional worm tub condensers and the fact that it was among the last distilleries in Scotland to abandon direct-fired stills—a feature that contributed to its unique weighty spirit. The original Victorian-era distillery, designed by the legendary architect Charles Doig and completed in 1898 (though commissioned in 1891), was built to serve the ambitious blending operations of Peter Mackie's White Horse brand. Mackie, along with Alexander Edward (owner of Benrinnes and Aultmore), formed a powerful whisky alliance. When Edward departed in 1900, Mackie seized full control, acquiring complete ownership in 1916. As whisky historian Brian Spiller noted, this provided Mackie with an influential platform within the whisky industry, Scotland, and the broader British Empire. Following Sir Peter Mackie's death in 1924, the company was rebranded as White Horse Distillers and subsequently integrated into the D.C.L. empire in 1927. In a landmark 1998 deal, U.D.V. (United Distillers & Vintners), D.C.L.'s successor, was compelled to divest Craigellachie along with three sister distilleries and the Dewar's brand to Bacardi Limited, marking a significant shift in global spirits ownership. After years of primarily supplying blends, Craigellachie re-emerged as a single malt powerhouse in 2014 with the launch of three age-stated expressions—13, 17, and 23 Years Old—exclusively for the UK market, complemented by a travel retail-exclusive 19 Year Old, showcasing the distillery's uncompromising, old-fashioned character to a new generation of connoisseurs.

Sir Peter Mackie was one of the most influential and eccentric figures in whisky history. Among his many curiosities, he cooked up a health supplement called B.B.M. (Blood, Bone & Muscle) in a laboratory beneath Clynelish's boardroom, requiring all employees to consume it at home. He also mandated that staff maintain immaculate home gardens, with directors conducting annual inspections—top gardeners received substantial bonuses. A devoted Conservative, Mackie was ironically knighted in 1920 by Liberal Prime Minister David Lloyd George for his wartime contributions. Remarkably, Clynelish operated without electricity until 1948, relying on paraffin lamps for illumination. The distillery also employed water wheel-driven rummagers in its wash stills until the comprehensive reconstruction of 1964.