Glen Ord Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Muir of Ord, Ross-shire
IV6 7UJ Scotland
Tel: +44 (0) 1463 872004 / Fax: +44 (0) 1463 872008
Viewer's Comments about Glen Ord

The Glen Ord Distillery was founded in 1838. Its soil, the barley, the sea air and the marvelously soft water that imparts Glen Ord Single Malt Whisky with a “Flavoursome roundness,” which has earned this unique spirit the International Wine and Spirits Competition '94 & '95 Gold Medal for the world’s best single malt and the '96 & '97 Monde Selection Awards. It is known as the “Richer Malt” from the Black Isle in the Northern Highlands.

The history of Glen Ord is entwined with Scottish lore and the MacKenzies of Ord. The distillery was prized by other distillers for its unique characteristics long before becoming available worldwide. Its impressive reputation is firmly established in Scotland - especially among blenders who included Glen Ord to add a premium note to their whiskies.

Glen Ord is approachable -- perfect for those new to single malt and a drinkable alternative for those who have already discovered the joys of single malt.

Glen Ord is an accessible, unstuffy and refreshingly informal malt whisky with an instant appeal. Unlike other single malts, much of Glen Ord’s distinctive flavour profile is due to the distillery’s unique twin water source known locally as “The White Burn” which includes lakes fed by rainfall as well as from spring water.

Glen Ord Distillery Copper Stills

The climate is bold, the aroma of barley malt fills the air. A scuttle of water from the village well has softness that belies the tanginess of the sea air. This is the village of Glen Ord whose homes have been carved from the rocky Black Isle. Unlike other whiskies, the barley is grown right on the Black Isle and specially malted adjacent to the distillery. Glen Ord lacks the “burn” often associated with single malt, while offering a mellowness and sociability that makes it particularly appealing.

Upon tasting Glen Ord, single malt authority, author, and connoisseur Michael Jackson, extolled, “Perilously drinkable — a smooth, well rounded choice.”

Courtesy of Glen Ord

Glen Ord Whisky Distillery

A visit to Glen Ord, on the edge of the Black Isle in the Highlands west of Inverness, is a delight to both the eye and the palate. Watch our distillers at work creating a magicial malt whisky which is sweet, malty and dry on the palate.

January - March
Monday - Friday: 11am - 4pm

Easter Weekend
Friday, Saturday, Monday: 10am - 5pm
Easter Sunday: 12noon - 4pm

April - September
Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm
Saturday: 11am - 5pm
Also Sundays (July to September): 12noon - 4pm

October - December
Monday - Friday: 11am - 4pm

Christmas & New Year
Closed between Christmas & New Year.

Tours are available throughout the day, the last tour leaves 1 hour before closing. Our tours take approximately 50 minutes.

Tours & Prices

Exhibition Only
£2 (including Voucher - £3 off purchase x1 70cl malt whisky or £10 off 2 x 70cl)
Visit to exhibition, video & complimentary dram of Singleton of Glen Ord 12 year old single malt

Glen Ord Flavours Experience Tour:
£5 (including Voucher - £3 off purchase x1 70cl malt whisky or £10 off 2 x 70cl)
Exhibition, tour of Distillery & complimentary tasting of Singleton of Glen Ord 12 year old single malt.

Glen Ord Tasting Experience:
£10 (including Voucher - £3 off purchase x1 70cl malt whisky or £10 off 2 x 70cl)
As with the Flavours + additional 2 drams giving a flavour of Scotland.

Glen Ord Flavours & Food:
£15 (including Voucher - £3 off purchase x1 70cl malt whisky or £10 off 2 x 70cl)
As with the Flavours + additional 2 drams giving a flavour of Scotland + food to compliment flavours.

Groups of 20+
£4.00 (including Voucher - £3 off purchase x1 70cl malt whisky or £10 off 2 x 70cl)
Exhibition, tour of Distillery & complimentary tasting of Singleton of Glen Ord 12 year old single malt.

To make a group booking please call on 01463 872004 or email us at glen.ord.distillery@diageo.com

Notes: From 23rd July 2010 until February 2011 it will not be possible to fully tour the distillery due to a major refurbishment of the distillery. We can still offer an exhibition tour, warehouse visit and tasting for only £3.00 per adult.

For health & safety reasons, children under 8 years old are not permitted in the production areas of the distillery.

Due to maintenance requirements it's not always possible to tour the distillery. Please call and check in advance to avoid disappointment.

Contact Us
Glen Ord Distillery,
Muir of Ord, Ross-shire
Tel: +44 (0) 1463 872004
Fax: +44 (0) 1463 872008
Email: Glen Ord Distillery

Due to maintenance requirements it's not always possible to tour the distillery. Please call and check in advance to avoid disappointment.

The History of Glen Ord

1838 The MacKenzies of Ord feature largely in the development of the distillery. The family was granted lands in the west of Scotland by King Alexander III as early as 1263. Thomas MacKenzie of Ord inherited the estate in 1820 and set about rejuvenating the area. He leased land for the distillery to be built, as he envisaged an industry where local men could have all-year round employment. It also gave him a ready market for his barley.

There was competition from 9 small licensed distilleries in the area, most being run as co-operatives of 10-12 tenant farmers. The entire barley crop was used for distilling - the quickest means of turning it into cash to pay the rent.There are records of an ale house and meal mill on the Glen Ord site in 1549, the meal mill finally closing in 1958. There was also an extensive piggery, taking advantage of by-products from distilling. The distillery employed 18 people.

The distillery was water-powered by 2 large water wheels driven by water from Loch nam Bonnach and Loch nan Eun. Water for mashing was then taken from the Cuckoo Well and added to the whisky’s distinctive character.

The first licence holders were Robert Johnstone and Donald McLennan, trading as Ord Distillery Company. They both subsequently went bankrupt.

1870 McLennan died and his widow married a bank clerk from Beauly, Alexander MacKenzie, who was put in charge of the business. Around this time, Glen Ord was sold in Singapore, S. Africa and other British Colonies. In 1880, some Glen Ord was being sold as Glen Oran.

1896 The distillery was sold at a price of £15,800 to James Watson & Son, whisky blenders of Dundee. This was their 4th acquisition of a distillery as they were committed to obtaining high quality whisky - sales were principally of blended whiskies, particularly 'Watson's No. 10'.

1917-1919 Glen Ord was closed by government order during the First World War, in the interest of conserving barley for foodstuffs.

1949 Electricity came to Glen Ord, until then the distillery was lit by paraffin lamp.

1958 Meal mill closed and the single malt was sold as Or.

1961 Closure of floor maltings; new Saladin boxes built.

1966 The 2 coal-fired stills increased to 6, all of which were fitted with steam-heated coils.

1985 Guinness take-over. Malt and grain distilling becoming United Distillers Ltd.

1994 Was indeed a pivotal year for Glen Ord whose roots are deeply entwined with Scottish history and lore. Known outside Scotland by only Whisky aficionados, Glen Ord’s reputation begins to flourish. In this year Glen Ord 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky brings home three international awards including the World’s most prestigious spirit award the IWSC Gold Medal, the overall malt whisky category trophy for, “Best Single Malt up to 15 years.” and the title of Malt of the Year 1994-1995.

1997 Guinness and Grand Metropolitan merge to form DIAGEO, with head offices in London.

1998 Glen Ord is recognized and available throughout the world and sought out by those who appreciate unique characteristics of this unique "Whisky from the Black Isle."

Courtesy of Glen Ord