Glen Elgin
Introduction:
Glen Elgin Distillery, situated in Scotland’s Speyside region, offers a range of official and independent bottlings for Whisky enthusiasts. The distillery’s official lineup previously included a 12-year-old, 16-year-old, 20-year-old, and 32-year-old expression. However, currently, only the 12-year-old remains available. Initially released in 2001 as part of Diageo’s Flora and Fauna range, the 12-year-old malt was later re-released in 2002 as part of the Hidden Malt range. Several independent bottlings have been produced by third-party bottlers such as Signatory Vintage, Adelphi, and Gordon & MacPhail. Notably, the Glen Elgin Malt plays a significant role in the White Horse Blended Whisky.
Production:
Located amidst the picturesque rolling hills of Speyside, Glen Elgin Distillery is relatively small, with a production capacity of 1.8 million liters of pure alcohol per year. The distillery sources its water from the scenic Millbuies Loch springs, located southeast of the distillery.
Pot Stills:
Glen Elgin features three wash stills, each with a capacity of 7,000 liters, and three spirit stills with a capacity of 8,000 liters. The distillery’s unique characteristic lies in its “small tall” shape for all six stills, although the spirit stills have a flatter pot compared to the wash stills. The lyne arms have a gentle incline, leading outside to the worm tubs. Additionally, Glen Elgin has one of the highest ratios of washback size to still size among distilleries in Scotland, with the six larch washbacks having a capacity of 40,600 liters compared to the 7,000-liter capacity of the wash stills. Notably, Glen Elgin still employs copper worms to cool the alcohol vapors, a practice not widely used in modern distilleries.
Malting:
With 36 malt bins and a total capacity of 400 tonnes, Glen Elgin has ample space for malted barley. The distillery used its own floor maltings until the 1960s when they were decommissioned. Currently, Glen Elgin sources its malt from one of Diageo’s industrial sites.
Warehouse:
Glen Elgin has a few small dunnage warehouses on-site, primarily storing casks from earlier productions.
History:
Glen Elgin holds a significant place in the history of Single Malt Whisky. Established in 1898, it was the last distillery to be built during the boom years of Scotch Whisky production. Architect Charles Doig famously predicted that it would be the final distillery built in Speyside for 50 years, and his prophecy proved remarkably accurate, with Tormore being the next distillery constructed in 1958.
The early years of Glen Elgin’s production were marked by challenges and interruptions. Although founded in 1898, actual production did not commence until two years later. However, just five months after starting, the distillery was forced to close and was eventually sold at auction in 1901, resulting in significant losses. Ownership of the distillery changed hands multiple times in the following decades, often leading to production halts between transactions.
In 1936, Glen Elgin was acquired by a subsidiary of DCL (Distillers Company Limited), Scottish Malt Distillers. Ownership then transferred to White Horse distillers, marking the beginning of Glen Elgin’s incorporation into their blend.
During the second half of the 20th century, Glen Elgin underwent significant changes in terms of production and infrastructure. Until the 1950s, the distillery relied on paraffin for operation and lighting, which posed safety concerns for a facility producing millions of liters of alcohol annually. In 1964, the original distillery designed by Charles Doig was demolished, and a new facility was built, tripling its capacity. The number of stills was increased from two to six, bringing the distillery’s production capacity to its present level. Despite these extensive renovations, Glen Elgin maintains its small, traditional distillery atmosphere, eschewing many modern innovations and retaining a hands-on approach to distillation. Presently owned by Diageo, Glen Elgin proudly displays the White Horse emblem on its label, staying true to its heritage.
Visitor Centre:
Regrettably, Glen Elgin does not offer public access to its premises.
Visitor information:
Glen Elgin Distillery
Longmorn
Elgin
Moray
IV30 8SL
Tel: +44(0)1343-862100
Information about the Distillery: |
|
| Number of bottles: | 0 Bottles |
| Country, Region: | Scotland, Speyside |
| Coordinates: | -3.277144 57.599485 |
| Status: | Active |
| Company: | Diageo |
| Still 1: | 3 x 7,000 l Pear |
| Still 2: | 3 x 8,000 l Pear |
| Fermenters: | 6 x 40,000 l |
| Mashtun: | 8 t |
| Founding year: | 1898 |
| Distillery output: | 1,870,000 l |
Introduction:
Glen Elgin Distillery, situated in Scotland’s Speyside region, offers a range of official and independent bottlings for Whisky enthusiasts. The distillery’s official lineup previously included a 12-year-old, 16-year-old, 20-year-old, and 32-year-old expression. However, currently, only the 12-year-old remains available. Initially released in 2001 as part of Diageo’s Flora and Fauna range, the 12-year-old malt was later re-released in 2002 as part of the Hidden Malt range. Several independent bottlings have been produced by third-party bottlers such as Signatory Vintage, Adelphi, and Gordon & MacPhail. Notably, the Glen Elgin Malt plays a significant role in the White Horse Blended Whisky.
Production:
Located amidst the picturesque rolling hills of Speyside, Glen Elgin Distillery is relatively small, with a production capacity of 1.8 million liters of pure alcohol per year. The distillery sources its water from the scenic Millbuies Loch springs, located southeast of the distillery.
Pot Stills:
Glen Elgin features three wash stills, each with a capacity of 7,000 liters, and three spirit stills with a capacity of 8,000 liters. The distillery’s unique characteristic lies in its “small tall” shape for all six stills, although the spirit stills have a flatter pot compared to the wash stills. The lyne arms have a gentle incline, leading outside to the worm tubs. Additionally, Glen Elgin has one of the highest ratios of washback size to still size among distilleries in Scotland, with the six larch washbacks having a capacity of 40,600 liters compared to the 7,000-liter capacity of the wash stills. Notably, Glen Elgin still employs copper worms to cool the alcohol vapors, a practice not widely used in modern distilleries.
Malting:
With 36 malt bins and a total capacity of 400 tonnes, Glen Elgin has ample space for malted barley. The distillery used its own floor maltings until the 1960s when they were decommissioned. Currently, Glen Elgin sources its malt from one of Diageo’s industrial sites.
Warehouse:
Glen Elgin has a few small dunnage warehouses on-site, primarily storing casks from earlier productions.
History:
Glen Elgin holds a significant place in the history of Single Malt Whisky. Established in 1898, it was the last distillery to be built during the boom years of Scotch Whisky production. Architect Charles Doig famously predicted that it would be the final distillery built in Speyside for 50 years, and his prophecy proved remarkably accurate, with Tormore being the next distillery constructed in 1958.
The early years of Glen Elgin’s production were marked by challenges and interruptions. Although founded in 1898, actual production did not commence until two years later. However, just five months after starting, the distillery was forced to close and was eventually sold at auction in 1901, resulting in significant losses. Ownership of the distillery changed hands multiple times in the following decades, often leading to production halts between transactions.
In 1936, Glen Elgin was acquired by a subsidiary of DCL (Distillers Company Limited), Scottish Malt Distillers. Ownership then transferred to White Horse distillers, marking the beginning of Glen Elgin’s incorporation into their blend.
During the second half of the 20th century, Glen Elgin underwent significant changes in terms of production and infrastructure. Until the 1950s, the distillery relied on paraffin for operation and lighting, which posed safety concerns for a facility producing millions of liters of alcohol annually. In 1964, the original distillery designed by Charles Doig was demolished, and a new facility was built, tripling its capacity. The number of stills was increased from two to six, bringing the distillery’s production capacity to its present level. Despite these extensive renovations, Glen Elgin maintains its small, traditional distillery atmosphere, eschewing many modern innovations and retaining a hands-on approach to distillation. Presently owned by Diageo, Glen Elgin proudly displays the White Horse emblem on its label, staying true to its heritage.
Visitor Centre:
Regrettably, Glen Elgin does not offer public access to its premises.
Visitor information:
Glen Elgin Distillery
Longmorn
Elgin
Moray
IV30 8SL
Tel: +44(0)1343-862100
Information about the Distillery: |
|
| Number of bottles: | 0 Bottles |
| Country, Region: | Scotland, Speyside |
| Coordinates: | -3.277144 57.599485 |
| Status: | Active |
| Company: | Diageo |
| Still 1: | 3 x 7,000 l Pear |
| Still 2: | 3 x 8,000 l Pear |
| Fermenters: | 6 x 40,000 l |
| Mashtun: | 8 t |
| Founding year: | 1898 |
| Distillery output: | 1,870,000 l |