The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The only distillery allowed to call itself "The Glenlivet"

Glenlivet Scotch Whisky

Distillery Information

Founded in 1824 by George Smith

Location Speyside region Livit district

Water source Josie's Well.

Glenlivet Scotch Whisky Distilling Equipment

Un-peated malt barley

Stainless steel lautermash tun

8 Oregon pine washbacks.

8 pot stills

Matured in American oak bourbon casks with a proportion of sherry casks

The Glenlivet Scotch Whisky

Distillery History

The glen of the Livet has a plentiful supply of clean spring water that makes particularly exclusive whiskies. Amongst the major distilling districts the Livit valley is the one most deeply set into the mountains. The spring water rises from a granite base having travelled many miles underground. The mountain location also provides the weather conditions that whisky-distillers prefer during the distilling process, especially the spirit condensers work most effectively if they are cooled by very cold water in a matching cool climate.

Due to its ideal location and conditions there was a great deal of illicit distilling in the area and this was a significant reason for the reputation of the glen. There is evidence that there were a couple of hundred illicit stills in the wild, mountain country around the Livet in the late 1700s and early 1800s

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At that time the Highlanders were only permitted to distil whisky on a domestic scale. The Duke of Gordon proposed more cooperative legislation leading to the proper licensing of whisky distilling. One of his tenants George Smith, already an established illegal distiller was encouraged by the Duke to take out a license and became the first to apply for a new licence in 1824. This year is taken as being the official foundation date of the distillery that became known as “The Glenlivet”. His son John Gordon Smith assisted and eventually succeeded George on his death in 1871.

After distilling on two other locations, Upper Drumin (1824) and Delnabo (1850) nearby, the Smiths built and moved to the distillery’s present site 1n 1858. (George and J.C. Smith Ltd)

Glenlivet was acknowledged as the home of the very best "mountain dew". Casks of "the real Glenlivet" were to be found in the cellars of all the great houses in the land and it received the Royal stamp of approval. In 1822, when George IV visited Edinburgh, it was said that "the King drinks nothing but whisky and is an admirable judge of Glenlivet

The reputation of the Glenlivit valley and especially the Glenlivit distillery became a powerful word association with whisky. Merchants in the cities wanted whisky "from Glenlivet" Even though there are only three distilleries in the glen a further 18 distilleries were using the Glenlivit in their name or calling their whisky Glenlivit even distilleries as far away on the coast north of Inverness.

In 1880 the distillery gained the exclusive designation "The Glenlivet” granted in a test case to distinguish it from the other distilleries

John Gordon Smith was succeeded in 1901 by his nephew George Smith Grant During 1921 the distillery passed to Captain W.H. Smith Grant

George and J.C. Smith Ltd merged with J&J Grant, Glen Grant Distillery in 1952 forming the Glenlivit and Glen Grant Distilleries Ltd This company merged with the Longmorn-Glenlivit Distillery Ltd in 1970 the name was rationalised to The Glenlivit Distillers Ltd. The period of independence came to an end when Seagram acquired the company in 1977.

Published 8 times a year Whisky Magazine is the perfect complement to the dram in your glass. Every issue brings you fascinating articles on the art, science and romance of the 'water of life', plus page after page of tasting notes

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