Distillery Name: The Glenlivet Distillery

Distillery Location: Ballindalloch, Moray

Link to Distillery Website: https://www.maltwhiskydistilleries.com/theglenlivet/

Tours: https://www.maltwhiskydistilleries.com/theglenlivet/

Tour/Tasting/Experience: The Archives

The Glenlivet distillery was founded by George Smith in 1824 and is now owned by Pernod Ricard. A rich history and distinctive flowery-fruity flavor have made this distillery one of the most famous distilleries in Scotland with Glenfiddich and The Macallan.

The Glenlivet is the best-selling single malt in the United States, and one of the top five best-selling single malts in the world.

The Glenlivet Origins

Throughout the 1700s and early 1800s, illicit distilling (production of spirit without payment of duty) flourished in Scotland because the tax law was complicated and not applied consistently to distillers. That changed in 1823 with the Excise Act, which significantly cut taxes to two shillings and three pence per gallon and an annual fee of ten pounds in exchange for a distilling license.

The Glenlivet is known as the first licensed distillery in Scotland. As one can imagine, smugglers were not happy with the payment of duty for a license making George Smith a public enemy. Therefore, the Laird (noble title typically granted to owners of an Estate) of Aberlour presented George Smith with a pair of pistols (see picture) to protect himself.

As a result of the 1823 Excise Act, the number of licensed distilleries in Scotland doubled in two years, and the production of duty-paid whisky rose from two million gallons to six million gallons. Illicit distillation fell significantly in the next few years. There were 14,000 illegal detections pre Excise Act compared to 692 in 1834.

The Glenlivet Experiences

The Glenlivet offers three experiences at the distillery. The other two are:

• The Original. A guided tour to enjoy core range expressions of 12, 15, and 18-year-old single malts.
• The Single Casks. A guided tasting of four exclusive Single Cask editions from the Distillery Reserve Collection. This experience allows you to understand the impact of different casks on the Glenlivet new make spirit.

The Archives Experience

The Glenlivet Archives is a curated experience for those who want to understand how cask selection defines the flavor profile of The Glenlivet whisky. Expressions of the Archives experience are no longer available for sale in the traditional retail market but only at the distillery.

The experience happens in a private tasting room in an atmosphere that honors George Smith as the founder of the distillery. After an introduction, visitors are taken to a warehouse and get valuable insights about the maturation process.

In 2001 The Glenlivet produced about half a million liters of single malts targeted primarily for blends such as Chivas Regal and Ballantine’s. In 2005 the strategy changed, and the corporate office of Pernod Ricard decided to produce and market The Glenlivet as a single malt whisky.

Expansions of two rack warehouses have made The Glenlivet a front runner in the single malts market with 21 million liters produced annually, second to Glenfiddich in 2021. Today, ten warehouses hold 6,000 casks each, including casks from other distilleries such as Glen Keith, Braeval, Blair Athol, etc. The distillery matures 80% of its whiskies in bourbon casks and approximately 20% in sherry butts.

The Whiskies at The Archives Experience

The Archives is the most premium experience available at the distillery that focuses on casks maturation of expressions no longer available in the retail market, all bottled at cask strength.

The Glenlivet Single Cask Edition ($$$$)

This single malt is a first-fill ex-sherry, bottled at 60.2% ABV for 15 years.

• Nose: Dried fruits and rich nose.
• Palate: A full-bodied and rich malt with raisins and prunes.
• Finish: Medium to long with an elegant finish.

Score: 4/5⭐

There were only 100 bottles available for sale at the distillery. This bottle was #55 from a cask that produced 636 bottles. A delicious whisky if sherry is your preferred flavor profile.

The Glenlivet 25 Years-Old ($$$$)

A whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks for 22 years, finished in ex-sherry cask for three years and bottled at 43% ABV. This expression is available for purchase on the distillery’s website because the distillery makes a batch every quarter.

• Nose: Vanilla and caramel are the dominant aromas here.
• Palate: Another full-bodied malt with caramel and some hints of dried fruits, which greatly complements the bourbon profile.  A delicious and balanced single malt that combines the best of both worlds (ex-bourbon and ex-sherry maturation)
• Finish: A long and rich finish.

Score:  4.25/5⭐

The Glenlivet 30 Years-Old Cellar Collection ($$$$)

A whisky matured in second fill in American oak (Jack Daniels) for 30 years at 49% ABV. Bottled #16 out of 246. This is the most expensive malt of the tasting.

• Nose: Classic bourbon aroma profile with a gentle nose.
• Palate: Restrained caramel and vanilla flavors, but oak notes are more pronounced. A spicier malt than the previous two.
• Finish: Long and warm.

Score:  4/5⭐

The Glenlivet 21 Years-Old Founders Reserve ($$$$)

This single malt has matured in two American oak casks and three ex-sherry casks. All malts have matured for at least 21 years and bottled at 55.6% ABV.

• Nose: Busy and gentle bourbon nose and other aromas I could not quite identify.
• Palate: A busy single malt with floral and fruity notes and some oak influence (peppery note)
• Finish: Medium to long.

Score:  3.75/5⭐

What I liked about the experience 🙂 

• The Glenlivet whisky capsules are not yet on the market, but we were lucky to enjoy them on site.
• Walking with our guide through the seven-story racked warehouse was very informative. Our guide highlighted the cask policy of the distillery and the variety of casks used.
• The caliber of the whiskies take center stage in this experience. All four were very different and complex, but all maintain that light flowery and fruity character of The Glenlivet.

What I did not like about the experience 🙁

Nothing.

The Glenlivet Archives was a well-crafted experience from end to end suited for those already familiar with the core range (12, 15 and 18 years old) and want to get a more in-depth and intimate experience at the distillery. I highly recommend this experience if you do not mind paying a bit more.

Score: 4.25/5⭐

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