Highland /

Glenturret Distillery

This exceptional provenance of Glenturret Distillery is backed up by an unparalleled history spanning a period of over 300 years , which makes it a true destination for anyone looking for a taste of history.

There is evidence to suggest that The Glenturret is Scotland’s oldest continually producing distillery, as it was mentioned in a rental document of Sir Patrick Murray of Ochtertyre in 1763. This is the earliest record of The Glenturret and gives rise to the claim that it is Scotland’s oldest distillery.

During the early 20th century, the Mitchell brothers passed on the distillery to their sons, who continued to operate it as a family business until the difficult times of the 1920s. A combination of high duty rates, prohibition in the United States, and growing support for temperance movements resulted in the virtual collapse of Scottish whisky production, and Glenturret fell silent by 1923.

In spite of this, there were more than 96,000 gallons of whisky maturing in the distillery’s warehouses. A small, dedicated team continued to look after this precious stock while maintaining the distillery for future generations.

Having suffered from no production and dwindling stock for over 30 years, James Fairlie purchased the distillery in 1957. Fairlie was a visionary who sought to ‘preserve the traditional methods of distilling and grow the appreciation for whisky’. In order to celebrate The Glenturret’s exceptional whisky-making heritage, he reinstated distilling equipment in the old buildings and production was restarted.

In 1980, Fairlie established a distillery visitor centre, only the second distillery to do so in Scotland. A visitor described The Glenturret as ‘the nearest thing to a one-man distillery in Scotland.’ Fairlie’s dedication to preserving Glenturret was clear to one and all.

By the 1990’s Glenturret’s consumer face was under The Famous Grouse brand. Something of a ‘mega whisky’ The Famous Grouse served the distillery well, but as Scotch whisky went upmarket and increased in price, the cheeky brand with its dancing Grouse was distancing connoisseurs and the international market.

Following a buy-out led by French luxury lifestyle Brand Lalique in March 2019, The Glenturret Distillery has been renewed after more than 250 years of distilling. A new range of whiskies crafted by Bob Dalgarno (ex Macallan) has once again raised Glenturret’s’ profile in Scotch circles with a premium, contemporary elegance and a longstanding reputation for traditional craftsmanship.

Inquire about a private whisky tour to Glenturret Distillery

How many guests in your group? *
The maximum group size per vehicle is 7

Our private tours that visit Glenturret Distillery

WHISKEY. THE WATER OF LIFE