Mit Glenfarclas holst Du Dir einen wuchtigen, würzigen und Sherry getriebenen Whisky ins Glas. Seit Generationen in der Hand der Familie Grant ist Glenfarclas heute eine der letzten Destillerien in schottischer Hand. Du bekommst einen ehrlichen, ungefärbten Whisky - einen echten Oldschool Scotch!
About The Glenlivet - The Success Story of the alleged Mr Smith
Smugglers, bootleggers and pistols... The history of Glenlivet whisky reads like a good crime novel. Glenlivet, pardon THE Glenlivet, is largely responsible for the reputation of the Speyside region of Scotland. The Speyside is known all over the world for producing excellent single malt whiskys with a floral bouquet, delicious fruit notes and a soft character. In the case of The Glenlivet single malt, these attributions are spot on. For many whisky connoisseurs, especially in the USA, The Glenlivet is THE Scotch whisky par excellence. The great success of this historic malt whisky distillery is closely linked to the name of George Smith and the Livet Valley, which gives Glenlivet its name.
George Smith was a busy man. He was one of the first, possibly the first, to acquire an official distilling licence. In the Scottish Highlands of the early 19th century, moonshining was something of a popular sport. Denying tax revenue to the English occupiers was part of Scottish identity. After the Excise Act 1823, the illegal distilling of Scotch whisky became increasingly risky. Conversely, legal whisky production lured with success and profit. George Smith read the signs of his time and from then on went the legal route. With the distilling license he initially operated several farm distilleries in the valley of the River Livet. Smith's ancestors had been illegally distilling whisky here since 1774. At that time, today's Speyside region in Scotland was an Eldorado for moonshiners and smugglers. Here they could easily hide from the strict eyes of the law. As a result, George Smith made a lot of enemies in the immediate vicinity with the legal distilling licence. From now on, Smith carried two pistols with him to protect himself from his rivals. You can still examine them in the distillery today.
George Smith is celebrated today as one of the most colourful figures in Scotch whisky history. The Scottish folk musician Robin Laing even dedicated a beautiful song to his story and The Glenlivet: Old Minmore. Very successful indeed, this Mr. Smith. Except he wasn't really Mr Smith at all. His family actually bore the Scottish name "Gow". These Gows, as proud Highlanders "Bonnie Prince Charlie", had supported Charles Edward Stuart in the fight against the English. As is well known, the uprising ended in a tragic defeat for the Scots. And the Gow family decided that they would prefer to use the more harmless Smith name in the future...
How does Glenlivet whisky taste?
Alongside Macallan, The Glenlivet is the great classic Speyside malt. Unlike some other big names, however, Glenlivet offers really good value for money. A soft, elegant and very balanced Single Malt Scotch awaits you. With delicate sweetness, floral notes, delicate oak and many partly tropical fruit notes, Glenlivet is a treat for the palate. Aromas of honey, vanilla, peach and pineapple are also common in Glenlivet Single Malts. Glenlivet's spirit is non-smoky as the malt is not kilned over peat fires.
How is Glenlivet Single Malt made?
Today's Glenlivet Distillery was built in 1858. After several renovations and expansions, Glenlivet is now one of the most modern whisky distilleries in the world. Since 2018 owner Pernod Ricard has basically been working with two distilleries on the Glenlivet site. Annual production capacity of New Make Spirit is estimated at 21,000,000 liters. This puts Glenlivet roughly on par with its biggest competitor, Glenfiddich. At least at the time this text was written, the two Speyside giants are on an equal footing when it comes to production. The arms race between the two Speyside classics is a constant neck-and-neck race. For many years Glenlivet was the second best selling single malt Scotch in the world. Finally in 2020 Glenlivet reached about the same sales numbers as Glenfiddich with 14,5 million bottles sold worldwide. We are curious to see who will be ahead in the future.
Glenlivet processes the mash in 2 Full Lauter Mash Tuns, each with a capacity of 13.5 tons. The malt is processed by an external malthouse and is unpeated, so not smoky. The wort is clear in order to support the light, fruity character. The distillery is equipped with 16 wooden washbacks and 16 stainless steel washbacks. Glenlivet's 28 stills are housed in three still rooms. The distillation is slow and gentle. The single malt spirit that flows from these stills is rich in esters and fruity flavours. Glenlivet is often said to have tropical fruit notes such as peach and pineapple.
Glenlivet Single Malt is matured primarily in ex-bourbon casks. The light, fruity spirit matures from the bourbon casks into an elegant and soft single malt whisky. Maturation in ex-bourbon casks underlines the tropical fruit notes and citrus fruits as well as the honeyed character. Glenlivet also likes to use sherry casks. The single malt draws aromas of wine gums, berry notes and Christmas spices from the Spanish casks that previously held with sherry.
On the history of Glenlivet
In 1817 George Smith inherited the Upper Drummin farm distillery from his father. He had been distilling here since 1774.
In 1824, Smith was the first to acquire an official distilling license under the new Excise Act, which brought him some criticism from his peers. Because moonshining is considered a question of honor in the Highlands and a symbol of resistance against the English rulers. After all, they are being denied the tax they demand.
In 1845, George Smith bought more farms, presumably not legally operating farm distilleries. Including Minmore Farm, which would later become The Glenlivet.
Today's Glenlivet distillery was built in 1858, and their single malt whisky quickly became very popular.
George Smith died in 1871 and left Glenlivet to his son John Gordon.
In a lawsuit in 1884, John Gordon Smith fought for the privilege of being the only one allowed to use the name "The Glenlivet".
In 1890 a fire destroyed some of the distillery's buildings.
In 1896 two new stills were installed.
In 1901 John Gordon Smith died.
1904 John Gordon's nephew George Smith Grant takes over the distillery.
In 1953 the “George & J.G. Smith Ltd." merged with the Glen Grant Distillery to become "Glenlivet & Glen Grant Distillers Ltd.", which became "The Glenlivet Distillers Ltd." after merging with Longmorn in 1970.
In 1978 Seagram acquired the company and opened a visitor center.
In 2002 Seamgram was bought by Diageo and Pernod Ricard. As a result, Pernod Ricard becomes the owner of the Chivas Group and therefore also of Glenlivet.
In June 2010 the capacity of the distillery is increased by around 75%. Prince Charles himself opens the extended operation on June 4th.
In 2018 the distillery is expanded. The capacity increases again.
2019: Glenlivet's modern marketing relies on a progressive approach and a young target group. Glenlivet develops edible whisky cocktails in capsules. The Glenlivet Capsule Collection consists of three flavors Citrus, Wood and Spice. The capsules are made from seaweed and can be consumed as is. The response to this "crazy idea" is mixed.
In 2020, the Corona Pandemic also affects Glenlivet. The visitor center has to close. Glenlivet is using the downtime to carry out a thorough refurbishment of the entire visitor area. In July 2021 the new visitor center opens with an indoor barley field, a new archive of old Glenlivet bottlings and a new tasting room.
Recommendations in the Glenlivet range
Glenlivet has a wide range and offers suitable bottlings for whisky beginners as well as discerning connoisseurs. Especially the Glenlivet variants with age information are a real recommendation if you are looking for a smooth, mild Scotch. Because they are bottled at 40% vol., they are particularly mild. Good examples are the Glenlivet 12 year old Double Oak, the Glenlivet 13 year old First Fill American Oak. The Glenlivet 15 year old French Oak and the Glenlivet 18 year old Batch Reserve are also velvety soft, but with more complexity.
Are 40% vol. in the glass too little for you? The Glenlivet 12 Years Licensed Dram gives you more strength in the glass with 48% vol. and does not require chill filtration. The same applies to the Glenlivet Nadurra bottlings. The Glenlivet Nadurra is bottled at strong cask strength and is also unchillfiltered. Here you get Glenlivet in its purest form and you can explore certain types of barrels on your own. With the Glenlivet Nadurra First Fill Selection you can enjoy the aromas from First Fill American White Oak casks. Juicy citrus notes, creamy vanilla and sweet caramel dominate this bottling. With the Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso, the delicious sherry casks from Glenlivet come into their own. Here you can look forward to red berries, raisins and fine spice notes in the glass. You will also find one of Glenlivet's few smoky whiskys here, the Glenlivet Nadurra Peated. These Cask Strength bottlings are a real gem for experienced whisky lovers. You shouldn't miss it!
Facts & Figures about Glenlivet
Address: Ballindalloch , Banffshire , AB37 9D
Founded: 1858 by George Smith (licensed 1823)
Owner: Pernod Ricard, Chivas Brothers Ltd
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Region: Speyside Whisky
Smoke: Unpeated/ Non-smoky
Status: active
Capacity: approx. 21,000,000 liters
Stills: 14 wash stills, 14 spirit stills
Washbacks: 16 stainless steel, 16 Douglas spruce
Mash Tun: 2 full loud mash tuns of 13.5 tons each
Water: Josie's Well
Visitor Center: Yes
Telephone: +44 (0)1542 - 783220
Website: www.theglenlivet.com
Directions to the Glenlivet Distillery
Why “The Glenlivet”?
The Glenlivet Distillery as we know it today was established in 1858 on the site of Minmore Farm. The malt whisky produced here quickly became the epitome of fine Speyside Whisky. It was at this time that the Glenlivet title established itself as a sort of regional attribution to "Glen Livet", the valley of the Livet which literally means Glenlivet. An impressive example is the neighboring and sibling distillery Aberlour, which also produces a great Speyside single malt. Macallan, Glenfarclas, Cragganmore, Glen Grant, Mortlach and Benrinnes also had Glenlivet as their nickname for a long time. Even distilleries such as Glen Moray, which are quite a distance from the Livet Valley, adorned themselves with the illustrious name. In 1881, George's son, John Gordon Smith, who had taken over the distillery, had enough and went to court. In the tough legal battle, the other distilleries in the region argued that Glenlivet was a regional and stylistic localization, similar to Islay Whisky, even before George Smith named the distillery. Smith saw the frequent use of the Glenlivet term as a free ride on the success of Glenlivet single malt. Finally, in 1884, an agreement was signed that only gave Glenlivet the title "The Glenlivet". Other distilleries could continue to use the suffix -Glenlivet to their distillery names. As late as 1980, 28 distilleries were registered in Scotland, using this designation such as Glen Grant-Glenlivet That's why you can still find the addition "Glenlivet" on the old barrels of many well-known Speyside distilleries.
As you can see, every drop of The Glenlivet contains an exciting story. Glenlivet significantly shaped the image of the Speyside region and is now one of the picture book examples of a Speyside whisky.
3 reasons to love Glenlivet
1) Because it is a true classic.
2) Because even the bottle whets the appetite.
3) Because he honestly earned the imitators.
Bildnachweis/ Bildquelle: Pernod Ricard Deutschland GmbH