Details
Location: Glengoyne Distillery, Dumgoyne, Near Killearn, Glasgow, G63 9LB
Visit Type: Vistor Centre
Co-ordinates: 56.014030, -4.363780
Telephone: +44 (0) 1360 550 254
Web: http://www.glengoyne.com/
Twitter: Glengoyne Distillery (@Glengoyne )
Map
History
Glengoyne Distillery is a whisky distillery continuously in operation since its founding in 1833 at Dumgoyne, north of Glasgow, Scotland.
Glengoyne is unique in producing Highland single malt whisky matured in the Lowlands. Located upon the Highland Line, the division between the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland, Glengoyne’s stills are in the Highlands while maturing casks of whisky rest across the road in the Lowlands. Like most malt whisky distilleries today, Glengoyne does not use peat smoke to dry their barley, but instead uses warm air.
Illicit stills
In the early 19th century, due to the heavy taxes on spirit production imposed by the government, many whisky producers were forced to operate illegally. The area around Glengoyne was full of hills and forests which provided excellent cover for the distillers. Records show that at least eighteen illicit whisky stills were operating in the area.
In the 1820s an Act of Parliament was passed, which reduced the cost of the licence required to distil, and the duty payable on spirit sales. Shortly after the introduction of the 'Excise Act of 1823' (or 'Walsh Act') the first of these illicit stills came into official existence, with Glengoyne following later in 1833. Although Glengoyne only officially existed from 1833 and no records exist from before this date, it is believed that distilling on the site pre-dates that with a local historian writing that the smoke of "illicit stills" was visible in the area in the early 19th century.
Whisky production
The distillery began distilling in 1833 and was known as the Burnfoot distillery. It was originally owned by George Connell who built the distillery and took out a lease on the surrounding land, on which was built a warehouse which is still in use today. In 1876 the distillery was sold, by Archiball G. MacLellen, to the Lang Brothers who were based in Glasgow. It is stated that the Langs intended to name the distillery Glengoyne, but due to a mistake by a clerk it was recorded as Glen Guin. In 1894, or 1905 it was changed to Glengoyne which comes from 'Glenguin' or 'Glen of the Wild Geese'.
The distillery remained with the Lang Brothers until taken over by the Robertson & Baxter Group in 1965, who later became the Edrington Group. In 1966 and 1967 the number of stills was increased from two to three as the distillery underwent a rebuilding project.
In 1984 the Lang Brothers became suppliers of whiskies to the then Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's household. The Royal Warrant has since been delegated to Ian Macleod and is featured on all Glengoyne products.
Modern era and expansion
In April 2003, Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. acquired Glengoyne Distillery, and the 'Glengoyne Single Malt' and 'Langs Blended Whisky' brands. The acquisition of Glengoyne Distillery meant that Ian Macleod became a fully integrated distiller, blender and bottler. Under Ian Macleod, Glengoyne saw a vast increase in output capacity as well as a similar rise in sales. Speaking of the acquisition and planned expansions in 2003, Leonard Russell, managing director for Ian Macleod stated "We'll be aiming to increase sales of the Glengoyne from the current level of 450,000 litres to one million litres next year". Later, speaking in 2005 Russell stated "we continue to make whisky exactly the same way at Glengoyne". The original warehouse built by George Connell is still be found on the site, as the shop and visitor reception area. Today, Glengoyne has eight working warehouses with a total capacity of nearly two million litres (4.5 million bottles) or spirit.
Nearby Locations
Location | Distance | Direction |
---|---|---|
Auchentoshan Distillery | 6.98 miles | SSW |
Dumbarton Castle | 9.40 miles | SW |
Meadow Road Distillery | 10.09 miles | S |
Clydeside Distillery | 10.80 miles | SSE |
Deanston Distillery | 16.54 miles | NE |
Bothwell Castle | 17.56 miles | SE |
Tullibardine Distillery | 27.85 miles | NE |
The Glenturret Distillery | 32.57 miles | NNE |
Locranza Castle | 41.80 miles | WSW |
Leith Distillery | 45.35 miles | E |
Holyrood Distillery | 46.09 miles | E |
Aberfeldy Distillery | 46.57 miles | NNE |
Lindores Abbey Distillery | 49.61 miles | ENE |
Oban Distillery | 50.80 miles | WNW |
Blair Athol Distillery | 53.25 miles | NNE |
Edradour Distillery | 53.82 miles | NNE |
Glenkinchie Distillery | 57.60 miles | E |
Eden Mill Distillery | 61.57 miles | ENE |
Jura Distillery | 62.72 miles | W |
Ben Nevis Distillery | 62.86 miles | NNW |