glenlivet distillery scotland tour

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The Glenlivet Distillery

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The Glenlivet distillery is one of the best distilleries in Speyside  and is one with a beautiful history with twists and turns that end up in excitement. This character is expressed in the taste of the company’s whisky and it is called the ‘capture of the spirit of Glen.’

The Glenlivet Tours

The distillery offers three tours; The Glenlivet Classic Tour, The Glenlivet Inspiration Tour and The Legacy Tasting Experience.

The Classic tour will give you an insight on the whisky making and distillation process of the company as well as a chance to enjoy complimentary dram and make a toast to George Smith, right on the land he farmed more than 2 centuries ago.

On the Inspiration tour, you will be taken to the No. 1 warehouse where you can taste a dram directly drawn from the cask before heading to the Malt Loft for a tutored tasting of the distillery’s new whisky expressions.

The Legacy tasting tour is an exclusive tour and tutored tasting experience of several much matured single malt whiskies from the stables of The Glenlivet. After enjoying a dram from one of the traditional casks, you will be given an exclusive gift as a souvenir. You will also see the exhibition while explains the history of the distillery as well as a gift shop and coffee shop where you can get several gifts and local cuisines respectively.

Buy a bottle… or maybe more

Before you visit the distillery, maybe you want to try something special that The Glenlivet have for you .

If you want a recommendation, go for something really special, like  Glenlivet 1963 We work hard and we deserve that.

But if you are not for the fancy one, let’s give a try to  Glenlivet 18 Year Old

Getting here

If you’re coming to The Glenlivet via road, is just on B9008, just about 10miles from Tomintoul.  Visitors with Satnav should input AB37 9DB as postcode.

Coming by railway? The rail stations in proximity with the distillery are Aviemore and Keith.

If you’re using an aeroplane, you should travel westwards from Aberdeen airport towards Inverness. When you get to Huntly, travel left towards Dufftown. Go through the B920 on Dufftown and travel to Tomintoul. At Tomintoul on B9009, just travel right and onto B9008 and look out for signs of The Glenlivet Distillery.

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• Location / Region Speyside

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The Glenlivet Distillery

We invite you to the heart of Scotland’s whisky-making country to see it for yourself. Here, you can experience the rare conditions of our remote location. You’ll learn how our founder, George Smith, established the first licensed distillery in the parish of Glenlivet, and defended it from smugglers.

We are open 7 days per week from 1st July - 24th December 2021 with our Whisky Experiences available Tuesday-Saturday. 

See our website for more details

Transport and Parking

• Coach Parking
• No Pets Allowed

Accessibility

• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
• Partial wheelchair access
• Lift or stairlift
• Ramp to main entrance
• Level Access
• Level access to bar
• Accessible toilets
• Suitable for visitors with limited mobility
• Baby Changing Facilities
• Public Toilet Facilities
• Licensed Bar

Payment Methods

• Credit Card

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The Glenlivet distillery

If you fancy sampling a taste of local history, then pop along to the world famous Glenlivet Distillery . With small production distilling legalised in 1823, local farmer George Smith set up a distillery on his farm near Minmore. Today the quality of “The Glenlivet” has developed a worldwide reputation.

The distillery is open to visitors during the summer. See whisky being made and enjoy a sample of the finished product (charges apply for tours). Inside the former grain store and malting, you’ll also find an exhibition, shop and cafe.

Tomintoul distillery 

Built in the mid 1960s, the distillery produces three million litres of alcohol each year. The family business has been making single malt whisky in the Speyside Glenlivet region for four generations. Tours are sometimes possible for groups by prior arrangement.

Whisky smuggling

During the early 1800's, as many as 200 illegal stills were at work in the Livet Glen, the secluded hills providing the perfect location for producing illicit spirit. Smugglers travelling in convoy would head over the hills for Perth, Aberdeen and Edinburgh to sell their illicit but renowned product at market, with the Excisemen in hot pursuit. 

Enjoy a walk along one of the  Smugglers Trails , named after characters from our whisky heritage past.

The Whisky Castle

The Whisky Castle shop in Tomintoul is also well worth a visit for the whisky enthusiast. With over 500 malt whiskies, including many single cask, independently bottled and small batches, there are opportunities for a tasting experience to help you select your ideal malt.

Malt whisky trail

Follow the malt whisky trail through Speyside to seven working distilleries, a historic distillery and a cooperage. 

Find Your Tour

Glenlivet distillery.

2022 Update - Current opening times:  Tuesday-Saturday 10am-12pm & 1pm-5pm (last entry at 4pm)

"The Glenlivet" Distillery has the distinction of being the first licensed distillery in the Glenlivet area. At one time there were around 200 illegal stills around this area and the name "Glenlivet" was used by many competing distilleries. Glenlivet's owner, John Smith son of the founder, realised the importance of branding so in 1884 he took legal action to reserve use of the title "The Glenlivet".

The B9136 road that leads to the distillery from Tomintoul is very attractive and this is our recommended route to Glenlivet, but the distillery is clearly signposted from all directions with brown tourism signs. 

Glenlivet Distillery has a very good visitor centre with a well presented café and shop in a recently refurbished building. The distillery itself is a mixture of old buildings and more recent industrial looking buildings that detract a bit from the charm of the place. 

The basic free tour last about 45 minutes and at the end you get to sample either a 12, 15 or 18 yr old "Expression" of The Glenlivet malt. If you aren't sure about whisky, it is better to try the younger malts as they tend to be lighter and more delicately flavoured.

Specialist "Spirit of the Malt" tasting tours lasting 2 - 3 hours can also be booked at Glenlivet. They can be arranged between 9:30am and 2pm (the 2pm cut of is due to their extended duration). On these tours, you get to sample some Glenlivet straight from the cask and then get a sampling session where you can try 7 different "expressions" of Glenlivet. These tours cost £30 and need to be booked in advance via the Glenlivet website.

Whilst visiting the distillery we also recommend taking a short drive to the old Packhorse Bridge that crosses the River Livet. To get here, return to the B9136 and turn right, at the next T junction turn right onto the B9008 which is signposted to Tomintoul. Just after passing through the small group of houses at Glenlivet, you see a brown sign to the Packhorse Bridge. The old bridge is on your right and there is space to park your car so you can stop here for a picnic by the River Livet.

Children under 8 not allowed in production areas.

Glenlivet Distillery Features In

Whisky Taster

Price: £14.99.

Whisky Explorer

Price: £16.99.

Classic Whisky

Price: £18.99.

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The Glenlivet Distillery

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

THE GLENLIVET DISTILLERY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Whisky Distillery Trifecta - Glenlivet-Glenallachie-Strathisla (From £656.23)
• Deluxe 5 star Private Speyside Whisky Tour (From £665.46)
• Scotland Whisky Distilleries and Tasting Private Day Tour by Luxury Car (From £886.80)
• Speyside Whisky Tour - Three Distilleries Included - Private - 5 Star Reviews (From £640.85)
• Private Speyside Whisky Tour From Inverness (From £384.50)
• (0.06 mi) The Dell at Glenlivet
• (0.06 mi) The Dell Glenlivet
• (0.32 mi) Charming detached cottage in The Cairngorm National Park on the Glenlivet Estate
• (8.86 mi) The Gables Whisky B&b
• (8.73 mi) Cardhu Country House
• (1.21 mi) The Croft Inn
• (6.53 mi) The Clockhouse Restaurant
• (9.40 mi) The Dowans Hotel
• (9.75 mi) The Mash Tun
• (4.14 mi) Delnashaugh
• (5.06 mi) Cragganmore Distillery
• (5.85 mi) Glenfarclas Distillery
• (7.32 mi) Caorunn Gin Tour
• (8.83 mi) Cardhu Distillery
• (8.75 mi) The GlenAllachie Distillery

The Glenlivet Distillery

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

The Glenlivet Distillery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Whisky Distillery Trifecta - Glenlivet-Glenallachie-Strathisla (From C$1,127.50)
• Deluxe 5 star Private Speyside Whisky Tour (From C$1,143.36)
• Scotland Whisky Distilleries and Tasting Private Day Tour by Luxury Car (From C$1,523.67)
• Speyside Whisky Tour - Three Distilleries Included - Private - 5 Star Reviews (From C$1,101.08)
• Private Speyside Whisky Tour From Inverness (From C$660.64)
• (0.10 km) The Dell at Glenlivet
• (0.10 km) The Dell Glenlivet
• (0.51 km) Charming detached cottage in The Cairngorm National Park on the Glenlivet Estate
• (14.18 km) The Gables Whisky B&b
• (13.96 km) Cardhu Country House
• (1.93 km) The Croft Inn
• (10.45 km) The Clockhouse Restaurant
• (15.04 km) The Dowans Hotel
• (15.60 km) The Mash Tun
• (6.63 km) Delnashaugh
• (8.09 km) Cragganmore Distillery
• (9.36 km) Glenfarclas Distillery
• (11.71 km) Caorunn Gin Tour
• (14.14 km) Cardhu Distillery
• (14.01 km) The GlenAllachie Distillery

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The Glenlivet Distillery

• +44 [0]1340 821720
• Visit the The Glenlivet Distillery Website

The Glenlivet Distillery, Scotland sits in a wild and remote glen, its history laced with drama and intrigue. So, in every bottle of whisky we make, we capture as much of the spirit of the glen as we can. We invite you to the heart of Scotland’s whisky-making country to explore the turbulent history of the whisky smugglers, delve into the intriguing mysteries of distilling and sample the golden magic that is The Glenlivet.

The following tours are available at this award-winning Brand Home:

• The Original (£20 per person) – available Tuesday-Saturday. It’s not easy being an original. Our founder, George Smith, was a visionary and unafraid to break tradition. Learn about the whisky making process and how The Glenlivet became the original Speyside Single Malt with our immersive experience which delves into both our production and history. Enjoy a guided tasting of our core range; The Glenlivet 12-, 15- and 18-year-old.
• The Single Casks (£40 per person) – available Tuesday-Saturday. A tutored tasting of four exclusive Single Cask editions from our Distillery Reserve Collection. This experience allows you to understand the importance of each part of the whisky making process and cask selection. With this collection of whiskies being exclusive to The Glenlivet, this is a rare opportunity to taste side by side how each cask can create its own unique characteristics.
• The Archives (£100 per person) – available Friday-Saturday. Explore the art of maturation with an exclusive tour of our traditional bonded warehouses at The Glenlivet. Immerse yourself in the finely tuned process of cask selection and learn how the oak plays a vital role in defining our whisky. In one of our private tasting rooms, you’ll enjoy an exclusive tutored tasting of a selection of The Glenlivet’s oldest and rarest whiskies including The Glenlivet 30-Year-Old Cellar Collection and a dram from our archives. Please email us for alternative dates for this experience.

We are open 7 days per week with our three experiences available Tuesday-Saturday. You will find an array of immersive experiences within our retail space selling a wide range of exclusive whiskies and a whisky bar where you can enjoy our full selection of The Glenlivet Single Malts including some of our vintage editions or why not try one of our whisky cocktails, classic bar snack pairings. Hot beverages and soft drinks also available.

Roads: The Glenlivet Distillery is located ten miles from Tomintoul, on the B9008. If you have a SatNav please enter the postcode AB37 9DB.

Getting there by railway: The nearest train stations are Keith and Aviemore. Unfortunately, there is no public transport that runs past The Glenlivet Distillery.

Getting there by aeroplane: From Aberdeen Airport go west on A96 towards Inverness. Turn left at Huntly towards Dufftown on B920. Go through Dufftown and take the road towards Tomintoul on B9009. When you reach the junction turn right onto B9008 and follow signs for The Glenlivet Distillery.

We hope to welcome you in the near future. Slàinte!

• Accessible Parking or Drop-off point
• Bikers Welcome
• Cyclists Welcome
• Disabled Access
• Groups Welcome
• Walkers Welcome

Getting Here

Get Directions to The Glenlivet Distillery using Google Maps

The Glenlivet Distillery

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

The Glenlivet Distillery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

GLENLIVET DISTILLERY TOUR

Glenlivet distillery tour.

EXPERIENCE THE GLENLIVET DISTILLERY TOUR WITH WHISKYWHEELS

The Glenlivet distillery tour is a fantastic stop for our customers on our Speyside tours. Glenlivet is the world’s biggest producer of Single Malt Whisky. In a good year, there is over 15 million litres produced. It’s quite a feat of production, especially when you visit and realise how remote and unforgiving the landscape and weather can be for a multinational whisky producer. 

One of the first stops we make in our tours of the Speyside Region, the Glenlivet Distillery Tour is thorough, enlightening and good fun. The rooms and areas used for tastings are top notch, this is a trend we’ve noticed with Pernod Ricard owned distilleries.

As you enter into the depths of Speyside countryside, you will notice how well hidden this distillery is. Back when tax collectors arrived by other means of transport, it wouldn’t have been an easy trip to try and catch the Glenlivet Distillery spirit being produced! This isn’t much of an issue these days on the Glenlivet distillery tour. 

“The Glenlivet” Distillery was the first licensed distillery in the Glenlivet area. Before whisky making was legal in Scotland, there were around 200 illegal stills around this area and the name “Glenlivet” was used by many other distilleries who were in direct competition with Glenlivet.

Glenlivet’s owner, John Smith, son of the founder, realised the importance of brands and marketing, this led to legal action to reserve use of the title “The Glenlivet” in 1884. 

The remote and isolated Livet valley made Glenlivet ideal for illicit distillation. George Smith operated in a way that kept the production a secret from the government. Hidden away from the Customs Officers and soldiers amongst the hills and abundant springs, the spirit was distilled slowly, producing a whisky that would quickly become world famous. In August 1822, King George IV visited Scotland and asked to try a dram of the infamous Glenlivet whisky. Even though it was an illegal dram, that didn’t stop the King.

After you have finished your Glenlivet Distillery Tour, you can spend time in the superb visitor centre. There is a lovely café, a well-stocked distillery shop and areas for tasting some of the older and rarer malts from Glenlivet and their brand partners.

Please find an example itinerary below:

We offer the standard Glenlivet Distillery Tour as part of our Whisky Trifecta tour, our Speyside Delight Tour and our Speyside Tasting Tour.

Book your Tour!

We pickup from your accommodation and drop you off there after the tour is finished.

If you would prefer to speak to one of our team, call us on 07549839684 or send an email with your questions. We can also take bookings by email and telephone.

For bespoke bookings or for more information, please contact [email protected]

We provide bespoke whisky tours in Scotland.

07549 839 684 (UK)

+19299230210 (USA)

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[email protected]

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CELEBRATING 200 YEARS!

INTRODUCING OUR LIMITED EDITION 12 YEAR OLD WHISKY

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THE GLENLIVET VIRTUAL TOUR

INTRODUCING…

THE GLENLIVET COLLECTION

Discover the full range of the Glenlivet Whisky Collection

Rate this whisky

Smooth, balanced, fruity… The Glenlivet 12 Year Old single malt scotch whisky is an invitation to indulgence in liquid form.

Boasting the classic flavours of The Glenlivet bound up in a creamy, smooth texture.

Whisky and Summer? Why not. Explore The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve single malt scotch whisky. Smooth with a tropical twist.

A portion of it finished by our makers in casks that previously held cognac, Captain’s Reserve scotch whisky offers a rich and intense taste.

The 15 Year Old single malt scotch whisky is deep gold in colour, and leaves behind traces of sweet almond and spice.

Balanced, rich and elegant, The Glenlivet 18 Year Old single malt scotch whisky that’s made for special occasions.

Since 1822, we’ve continued George Smith’s vision to break traditions, set new standards and move things forward.

OUR COLLECTION

Click to discover more about our whiskies that are enjoyed by all far and wide.

OUR COCKTAILS

From winter to summer, sour to sweet – click to discover cocktails fit for any taste bud.

The Glenlivet Distillery sits in a wild and remote glen, its history laced with drama and intrigue.

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