No district in Scotland is more suitable for distilling than Speyside. Pure spring water, rich crops ofbarley, huge fields of peat used to dry the grain, and soft Highland air - all are close at hand and combine to create the perfect place to make malt whisky.
Although George Smith founded The Glenlivet Distillery in 1824, his great-grandfather Thomas Smith had settled in this remote part of the Scottish Highlands at the time of the Jacobite Rising in 1715. Thomas Smith does not appear to have supported Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, and so avoided the draconian punishments inflicted by the Duke ofCumberland's men after the Pretenders defeat at Culloden.
He continued his farming and, no doubt illicit distilling, in peace.
The Act of Parliament of 1823 laid down a cost and taxation basis which made distilling a reasonable proposition. George Smith, foresaw the end of illegal production and was one of the first to take out a licence to distil an his farm at Upper Drumin. He was greatly encouraged by his landlord, the Duke.of Gordon who was keen to see the enterprise established to provide some employment in the glen. Gradually as the fame of The Glenlivet spread production at Upper Drumin was unable to keep pace. George took his son John Gordon into partnership and together they opened a new distillery on the present site at Minrnore Farm in 1858.
The early days were not easy for George Smith as his erstwhile smuggling companions threatened to burn the distillery. But he was a resolute man and, with the aid of a pair of hair trigger pistols, contrived to save the distillery from the fate so freely predicted for it. These pistols are still on show at The Glenlivet The Glenlivet Distillery Reception Centre today.
George Smith died in 1871, a well-known and popular figure in the North of Scotland. The business was inherited by his son John Gordon Smith. Under his guidance the fame of The Glenlivet continued to grow and the distillery was passed on from generation to generation. An outstanding contribution was made by Captain Bill Smith Grant who inherited the distillery in 1921 and guided its fortunes until his death in 1975.
In 1978 the Company became part of Seagram, the Canadian company which, since 1924, has specialised in the distillation and distribution of whisky.
Seagram provided the opportunity for another great stride forward for The Glenlivet. With their worldwide marketing skills, The Glenlivet has become the leading malt whisky in the United States and is sold in more than 100 countries.

How to get there:-

The Distillery is situated close to the junction of the B9136 and B9008, which can be reached from the A95, between Grantown-on Spey and Aberlour.

The Glenlivet Reception Centre, is open from:-

mid March to the end of October, Monday to Saturday, 10.00am to 4.00pm
and Sunday 12.30pm to 4.00pm,
July and August remains open until 6.00pm.

The GLENLIVIT DISTILLERY, Ballindalloch, Banffshire, Scotland. Tel 44 (0) 1542 783220.

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