The Glenlivet Distillery

Scotland's oldest legal distillery

The Glenlivet Distillery is located near Ballindalloch in Moray, Scotland that produces single malt scotch whisky.

The Glenlivet distillery is the oldest legal distillery in Scotland; it was founded in the same year that distilling was legalised by the Government, and it has operated almost continually since. The distillery remained open throughout the Great Depression and it's only closure came during World War II. The Glenlivet distillery has grown in the post-war period to become one of the biggest single malt distilleries in order to keep up with global demand; The Glenlivet brand is the biggest selling malt whisky in the United States and the third biggest selling single malt brand globally.

Today, the distillery is owned by the French alcoholic beverages company Pernod Ricard and they oversee the distilleries production of 5,900,000 proof litres per annum. The majority of this - enough for 6 million bottles - is sold as The Glenlivet single malt, with the remainder being used in Pernod Ricard's blended whisky brands.

The distillery draws water from Josie's Well, a short distance from the distillery. Barley is delivered slighted peated from Greencore's Buckie maltings and Glenlivet's stills are lantern shaped with long, narrow necks, all of which helps to produces a light tasting spirit. The distillery has 4 wash stills each with a capacity of 15,000 litres each and 4 spirit stills with a capacity of 10,000 litres.

Spirit from the distillery is then matured in oak casks formerly used to mature bourbon (ex-bourbon), as is normal throughout the industry, with some products being finished in casks previously used to store sherry and port.

Glenlivet is categorised as a speyside distillery. The standard range of products are bottled at 12 Years, 15 Years and 18 Years, with a number of premium products bottled at 21 Years and older.

Glenlivet also produces a range for the travel retail and duty-free shop markets, which differs slightly from the normal range.

The main product range from the distillery is The Glenlivet range of single malt scotch whisky, but whisky from the distillery is also used in the production of Pernod Ricard's other brands, including the well known and popular Chivas Regal and Royal Suite brands.

Bottling of The Glenlivet and associated blended brands takes place at Chivas Regal's bottling plant at Newbridge just outside of Edinburgh.