Auchroisk Distillery, commissioned by Justerini & Brooks, began construction in 1972 in the small hamlet of Mulben, west of Keith in Speyside. The location was strategically chosen for its access to the exceptionally pure water from Dorie's Well, a natural spring that remains a cornerstone of the distillery's character. The name 'Auchroisk' derives from the Gaelic 'Achadh an Fhraoich,' meaning 'field of the heather,' though local interpretation also links it to the 'shallow ford of the red stream,' referencing the nearby Mulben Burn. Designed by Westminster Design Associates and constructed by George Wimpey & Co., the £2.5 million facility was completed in 1974. Its innovative, modernist design received the prestigious Angling Foundation Award for architectural harmony with nature, specifically for preserving the salmon spawning grounds along the Mulben Burn—a testament to its environmentally conscious construction. Before distillation commenced, water from Dorie's Well was transported to Glen Spey Distillery for experimental production runs. J&B sought to replicate Glen Spey's light, estery spirit style—characterized by green apple, pear, and delicate floral notes—to fortify their flagship J&B Rare blend. This strategic decision reflected J&B's position within the International Distillers & Vintners (IDV) group since 1962, alongside W.&A. Gilbey & Sons. The corporate landscape shifted dramatically in 1972 when IDV was acquired by Watney Mann, which itself was taken over by Grand Metropolitan later that same year—while Auchroisk was still under construction. Grand Metropolitan's 1997 merger with Guinness formed United Distillers & Vintners (UDV), which evolved into Diageo in 1998. Auchroisk's substantial production capacity—capable of producing over 3 million liters of pure alcohol annually—makes it a crucial component of Diageo's Scottish operations. The distillery serves a dual purpose: maturing its own spirit on-site in traditional dunnage warehouses and functioning as Diageo's primary northern distribution hub. Matured casks from across Speyside converge here for dumping, blending, and bottling before transportation to Diageo's central warehousing facilities in Leven, Fife. The spirit itself is typically light-to-medium bodied, with nutty malt, soft vanilla, and subtle spice characteristics, making it ideal for premium blended whiskies, though occasional official bottlings have showcased its individual character.

In 1984, Jim Milne, master distiller for J&B Rare, took an unconventional step: he took The Singleton of Auchroisk, which had matured for ten years in refill bourbon casks, and gave it an additional two years of maturation in refill sherry casks. This may have been the first instance of 'cask finishing,' although it wasn't explicitly stated on the label. These early bottlings went on to win numerous awards at international competitions. In 2001, the 'Singleton' brand name was discontinued and removed from Auchroisk's product line, until it was revived in 2006 by three distilleries—Glen Ord, Glendullan, and Dufftown (see the relevant sections on these three distilleries).