Glenturret Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Hosh, Crieff,
Perthshire & Kinross 4HA Scotland
Tel: +44 (0) 1764 656565 Fax: +44 (0) 1764 654366
Viewer's Comments about Glenturret / Famous Grouse

As Scotland’s oldest distillery, Glenturret has had a long and colourful history. From illicit stills and smugglers, through the worldwide boom in Scottish whisky to near dereliction post-prohibition, the site here at Glenturret has survived through the centuries. Glenturret was established as a single malt distillery in 1775, using the pure waters of The Turret Burn and traditional distillation methods and equipment. After the economic depression of the late 1830s, the sole survivor of the many bothy distilleries that had flanked the Turret Burn was Glenturret. Eventually trade improved, and we know the owner in 1870, a Mr Thomas Stewart, made full use of a period of growth and expansion in the Scotch whisky industry and enlarged the plant, machinery and warehouses.

All went well until 1920, when prohibition in the United States was responsible for a drastic drop in sales, and The Distillery fell silent in 1921. The long closure and neglect of The Distillery caused considerable dilapidation at the site.

However in 1957, James Fairlie purchased the Glenturret Distillery and began its revival. By June 1960, whisky was again in production and used to supply blenders. As time went by, the company decided to lay down spirit for eventual sale as a single malt of varying maturity. Inevitably finances were strained by the need to invest in such slow moving stock. In 1981, one of Glenturret's customers, Cointreau et Cie, came to the rescue with an attractive offer for The Distillery and the new owners brought considerable expansion and investment. In 1990, ownership passed to Highland Distillers.

In common with the original whisky makers, we still draw our water from the cool, clear Turret Burn, and use the same methods and equipment. As Scotland’s oldest single malt distillery, it is the birthplace of an award winning single malt renowned for its quality, glorious bouquet and natural golden hue. The Glenturret is made using the Pot Still process, whereby the fine single malt is produced by traditional methods slowly, patiently and in small precious quantities at this historic site.

You can still come and learn about how single malt is made in the traditional way, but now you can also learn more about where some of that Glenturret single malt ends up – in the blending of Scotland’s Best Loved Whisky, the Famous Grouse, and its new range of blended malts (available in various ages from 10 to 30 years old).

Courtesy of The Famous Grouse

Glenturret Whisky Distillery

Welcome to our visitor centre. Did you know we are the most visited distillery in Scotland? Not that we want to show off about it too much, but we’ve worked hard to become number one, and a little self-congratulation doesn’t do too much harm. However, we don’t rest on our laurels here; we pride ourselves on maintaining our Visit Scotland 5 star rating. This means you can expect the highest levels of hospitality, fantastic facilities and a warm Scottish welcome every time you come to see us, whether you are taking a full tour, popping in for lunch or celebrating your wedding here.

We are open 7 days a week, all year, except Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Opening times may vary, see below for details.

Distillery Information

January and February
Open 10am to 4.30pm
First tour 10.30am
Last tour 3:00pm

March to December
Open 9am to 6pm
First Tour 9:30am
Last Tour 4:30pm

Tours & Admission

We like to think we have something for everyone at The Famous Grouse Experience. Take a tour and learn about how malt whiskies are made, and then the secrets of what makes a good blend great…. some would even say Famous. Understand why the Famous Grouse has been Scotland’s Favourite Whisky for over 25 years. And go beyond the normal distillery experience by joining us for our BAFTA award winning interactive show.

The first tour leaves the Visitor reception at 9.30am and the last tour leaves at 4.30pm. During January and February the first tour is at 10:30am and the last tour 3:00pm. Tours run approx every 45 minutes.

The Experience Tour
See first hand how we make our Glenturret single malt before learning how we marry our whiskies to make Scotland’s favourite whisky - The Famous Grouse. Includes BAFTA award winning interactive show and 2 drams. (Approx. 60 mins)

£8.50 ADULT
£6.95 CONCESSION
Children age 12 and under - Free

The Malt Tasting Tour
After completing The Experience Tour, why not test your taste buds by sampling and comparing some of our best malts. Total 5 drams. (Experience & Malt Tasting Tour - Approx. 70 mins).

£10.95 ADULT
£9.95 CONCESSION

The Distillery Tour
See and learn how we make our unique Glenturret single malt at Scotland’s oldest working distillery. Includes 1 dram. (Approx. 30 mins)

£6.95 ADULT
£5.95 CONCESSION
Children age 12 & under - Free

Warehouse No. 9
For those keen to taste and learn more about our whiskies. After completing the distillery tour, we will take you to our exclusive and unique tasting room within warehouse No. 9. You will be guided through our malt range from 10 years to 30 year old whisky while it quietly matures behind you, shhh, we don't want to wake them! (Approx 90 mins) £40 ADULT

Concession rate includes 12 -17 years*, students and OAPs. 10% discount for groups of 30 or more.

We recommend advance bookings for groups of 10 or more, call us on 01764 656565 to reserve a place.

Winter times can vary, so please call us ahead of your visit to check for variations between December and March.

* Free dram not supplied to those under the age of 18.

Tour & History Translations: £1.00

Group Discount: Group discount of 10% will apply to groups of 30 or more.

How To Find The Glenturret Distillery

From Glasgow
Take the M80 which joins the M9 just before Stirling. Then take the A9, turning off at Greenloaning onto the A822 via Braco and Muthill. From there follow the brown signs to The Famous Grouse Experience.

From Edinburgh
Take the M9 junction 11 near Stirling. Then take the A9, turning off at Greenloaning on to the A822 via Braco and Muthill. From there follow the brown signs to The Famous Grouse Experience. Alternatively take the M90 to Perth then the A85 to Crieff.

How We Make Glenturret Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The following section will give you an insight into how we make the Glenturret Single Malt on site. It’s still made the traditional way, using copper pots stills and is aged here in our warehouses. The resulting whisky is either bottled in its pure form as The Glenturret Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky or it is used in the blending of The Famous Grouse range of whiskies, where it brings a distinct fruity note to the blend.

Milling: Malted barley is fed into the mill where it is ground into grist, which resembles coarse flour.

Mashing: The grist is mixed with hot water in the mash tun, a large circular metal vessel.

Fermenting: After about 48 hours the fermentation has turned the liquid into a weak form of alcohol, similar to beer.

Distilling: We use a traditional POT-STILL made of hand beaten copper. Its shape is unique to Glenturret. Inside the still there are five oil fired steam heaters. The alcohol vapours rise up the neck of the still and travel outside to a condenser where the vapours are cooled and become liquid.

The liquid then goes to the smaller Spirit Still for a second distillation. This time the spirit produced is separated into three parts, as not all of the spirit is of the required strength and quality for making whisky, only the middle part or HEART OF THE RUN will become whisky parts, as not all of the spirit is of the required strength and quality for making whisky, only the middle part or HEART OF THE RUN will become whisky.

Filling: Before being put into barrels the spirit's strength is reduced by the addition of water, the same water that is used for mashing.

Maturing: The cask is stowed in the warehouse and left undisturbed for a minimum period of six years.

Courtesy of The Famous Grouse