The Glenlivet Distillery
- Emma Gibbs
- Sep 16, 2024
- 2 min read
Set in the remote hills of the stunning Livet valley, this distillery has a truly dramatic and intriguing history, and this year celebrates its 200th anniversary. Known for its smooth, fruity and floral expressions that are some of world’s BEST-SELLING single malt whiskies.
Region: Speyside
Founded: In 1824 by George Smith
Current owner: Chivas Brothers
Range
The Glenlivet has 18 whiskies in its range, including 6 in the (core) Heritage Collection:
· Founder’s Reserve – American oak, first fill, no age-statement
· Caribbean Reserve – American oak, selectively finished in rum barrels
· 12-Year-Old – European and American oak
· 15-Year-Old – French Limousin oak
· 18 -Year-Old – First and second fill American oak and sherry casks
· Captain’s Reserve – First fill American oak, sherry casks and ex-cognac casks
Water
The distillery sources the water for its production from nearby Josie’s Well, a spring fed from the River Livet.
Production
The distillery’s production capacity is HUGE, with 14 wash stills and 14 spirit stills. It produces 21 million litres of spirit a year, not only for The Glenlivet but also for brand siblings, Chivas Regal and Royal Salute.
George Smith
George Smith, the founder of The Glenlivet distillery, was a pioneering figure in the history of Scotch whisky. In the early 1800s, there were hundreds of illicit stills hidden in the Livet valley but, sure of the superior quality of his spirit, George stepped forward to obtain a distilling license in 1824.
The illicit distillers in the area took huge offence and threatened to burn down his distillery. The Laird of Aberlour stepped in and provided him with a pair of pistols to protect himself and his distillery, which can be seen in the visitor centre today.
200 Years
This year The Glenlivet celebrates its 200th anniversary, having remained operational since receiving its licence in 1824. In that time the distillery has overcome many challenges: a deeply turbulent start to life as a legal distillery, a devastating fire in the 1890s and a lengthy legal battle to exclusively use the word ‘Glenlivet’ in its name to become ‘The Glenlivet’.
Sustainability
The Glenlivet is committed to responsible sourcing, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. It prioritises water conservation with a water-cooling device that returns clean water to its source and use Mechanical Vapour Recompression technology to recycle excess heat in the stills. Chivas Brothers aim for all distilleries to be CARBON NEUTRAL by 2026.
Fun Fact: The Glenlivet has often been mentioned in pop culture, tv and film, but most memorably by The Anchorman’s Ron Burgundy who in a bar scene ordered ‘three fingers of Glenlivet with a little bit of pepper and some cheese’.
Are you a fan of The Glenlivet? Let me know in the comments.
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