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History
"Glengoyne's is a rich and colourful story that will capture the imagination of whisky aficionados near and far. All the right incredients are here to be enjoyed." / Derek Cooper, Guide to Whiskies of Scotland
The Glengoyne Distillery is situated in a wooded valley in the southern Highlands of Scotland close to a small river that flows into the famous Loch Lomond. The distillery, which takes its name from "Glen Guin" or Glen of the Wild Geese, has been producing an exceptional single malt scotch whisky for nearly 200 years.
Glengoyne is one of the few distilleries producing whisky in this part of Scotland today. However at the beginning of the nineteenth century it is recorded that at least eighteen whisky stills were in operation in this area.
But these, like many others at that time, were illegal. Whisky producers were forced to produce whisky illicitly as they were unable to pay the heavy taxes imposed by the government on spirit production to fund wars against France. Smuggling became rife and the hills and glens around Glengoyne formed a perfect cover for this lawless activity.
It was not until the 1820’s that an Act of Parliament was passed reducing the duty on spirit and the cost of a licence to distil which put an end to illegal production. This gave rise to a rush of stills being legalised including those at Glengoyne in 1833. It is reputed that Glengoyne was one of only a few stills to be licensed in the southern Highlands due to the high quality of whisky it produced.
Sir Walter Scott’s novels capture the romance and intrigue of this period in Scottish history. In particular with his character, Rob Roy, who was renowned for cattle thieving and other activities and is believed to have once escaped the law by hiding in an oak tree just 300 metres from the Glengoyne Distillery.
Glengoyne, working continually since it was founded, was first-owned by George Connell who erected a distillery and took a lease on the surrounding land; he also built a warehouse which is still very much in use today. In 1876, the Lang Brothers from neighbouring Glasgow bought the distillery and ownership still remains in Scottish hands with the Edrington Group taking over the distillery in the 1960’s and the Independent, Scottish, family owned business, Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. acquiring the distillery in 2003.
The changes in ownership have done little to affect production of this unique malt as the traditional working methods have been passed from generation to generation to create this subtle, complex whisky in which all the delicate flavours are freely allowed to express themselves.
The Destillery today
Glengoyne distillery has often been described as Scotland's most beautiful distillery.
The Jewel in the Crown
With its neat, manicured buildings and whitewashed walls, the distillery sits like a white jewel beneath the rolling Campsie Hills at the gateway to the Highlands. Its true magic, though, is only unveiled as you wander through the picturesque distillery yard, between banks of seasonal flora, to the Reception Centre and beyond.
Here, tucked away behind the main buildings, within a natural sandstone hollow, you'll find a tranquil lochan fed by a 50-foot waterfall.
Its source: the rainwater running off the mighty Dumgoyne Hill, which towers above the distillery, and which must once have provided an ideal vantage point from which to spy the unwelcome approach of Excisemen.
The crystal clear, soft water - some of it known to have filtered through the rocks of Dumgoyne for 40 years or more - flows almost straight into the distillery before continuing on its way down through the Blane Valley, eventually arriving at Loch Lomond. In passing, it imparts a very delicate flavour to our malt whisky, a lightness complemented by the milder climate of the southern Highlands and the benevolent lee of Dumgoyne's peak, standing guard against the North winds of winter.
At Glengoyne you have a complete 'microcosm' of everything that's required for producing scotch whisky. The rain falls onto Dumgoyne Hill and then runs down a wooded glen to the waterfall at the distillery, which in turn is surrounded by barley fields.
