Glen Elgin

Translation: Valley of Elgin

Region: Speyside

Why the distillery tells us something about the horse.

When you enter the courtyard of the Glen Elgin Distillery, you'll see a large sign on a cream-and-whitewashed wall behind a pretty flowerbed. First of all, above the name of the distillery, there is the image of a white horse and the word "White Horse". A very prominent commitment to the globally successful blended whiskey "White Horse". Its central component is the malt of Glen Elgin for almost a century. Not as popular with us as in Japan or the USA, White Horse is one of the big names in the whiskey world. The blend was introduced back in 1890 and today sells more than 12 million (!) Bottles a year worldwide. You can be proud of that. And thank God, after all, a small part of the very elegant, soft Glen Elgin remains as a single malt for us purists.

A little history

Glen Elgin was founded in 1898 by James Carle and William Simpson. The latter was previously manager of the distillery Glenfarclas. Production began in May 1900, but was discontinued after only five months, when the Scottish whiskey market plummeted. In early 1901, Glen Elgin was sold in an auction to the Glen Elgin-Glenlivet Distillery Co. for only £ 4,000. In 1904, the distillery began production again, but was closed again a year later. In 1906, the wine merchant JJ Blanche bought the distillery and started production. After his death in 1929, the distillery was then acquired in 1930 by the Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD), the license went to White Horse Distillers. In 1964, Glen Elgin was renovated and the capacity increased from two to six stills. In 1987, the Scottish Malt Distillers of UDV (United Distillers & Vintners) were taken over, which later went up in UD (United Distillers) and Diageo. In 1992, Glen Elgin closed major renovations, including additional stills. Since September 1995 here again consistently produced.

What do I actually have in the glass?

According to common doctrine, the small stale stills of Glen Elgin should actually produce a heavy, oily whiskey. The opposite is the case. The Glen Elgin is delicate, soft, flowery and all around elegant. A fine representative of the Speyside Malts, who actually deserves more prominence.

3 reasons to love Glen Elgin

1) Because white horses have something so noble about them.

2) Because the Malt is a fine spirit.

3) Because the town of Elgin is a paradise for whiskey friends.

The one drama for the lonely island

The cask strength filled Glen Elgin 1995/2011 from the Scott's Selection is a noble, soft malt without any frills. A gentleman's whiskey for purists.

numbers and facts

Address: Longmorn, Elgin, Morayshire IV 30 3SL

Founded in 1898 by James Carle and William Simpson

Status: active

Owner: Diageo

Capacity: approx. 2,000,000 liters

3 wash stills (11,000 l)

3 spirit stills (11,700 l)

Water: Millbuys Springs

Visitor Center: -

Telephone: +44 (0) 1343 - 862100

Website: www.malts.com