Glengoyne

Glengoyne was founded in 1833 under the name ‘Burnfoot Distillery’ by a local farmer, George Connell. The area in which it was founded was a hotbed of illicit whisky distillation, with up to eighteen illegal stills operating. Burnfoot distillery was eventually renamed Glenguin Distillery in 1861 and then in 1906 it became Glengoyne after the Lang brothers bought the site. Production commenced for much of the twentieth century without issues until 1965 when Robertson & Baxter took over the site. It was at this point a huge rebuild was in development that increased the stills from two to three, this was considered unusual as most distilleries in Scotland have an equal number of wash and spirit stills. It was also around this time that Glengoyne became a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II's mother, which earned it a ‘By Royal Appointment’ seal.

After the renovation, production resumed with it’s normal level of success. In 2001, Glengoyne released the Scottish Oak Finish which has been aged for 16 years, it is the first single malt stored in Scottish oak casks. Two years later in 2003, Ian MacLeod Distillers Limited bought the Glengoyne and Langs brand from the Edrington Group for £7.2 million. Since then the distiller has continued to release new bottlings such as a 16 year old Shiraz finish, two Warehousemen’s Choices and a relaunch of the 10 and 17 year old bottlings. 

Glengoyne’s current production capacity is 1.1 million litres and the water used is from the Campsie Fells which is located behind the distillery. Glengoyne is unique because it produces Highland Single Malt that is then matured in the Lowlands. The location of the distillery has also been attributed with the success as it is the most easily accessible distillery in Scotland, as it is only a half an hour drive from Glasgow.

Unlike many other distilleries, Glengoyne doesn’t dry its malt by burning peat. They use dry air which gives the drinker the original flavours of the malt when it comes into the factory and not peat. Glengoyne did have it’s own floor maltings until 1910 when they sold it to a maltster.

The core range of official bottlings from Glengoyne includes a 10 year old, 12 year old, 15 year old, 18 year old, 21 year old, 25 year old and a cask strength edition. They also do a range of special bottlings which consists of a 35 year old and a Teapot Dram which is inspired by the distilleries tradition of giving three drams to it’s stillmen during a long shift. These bottlings are quite rare to find and very sought after.

Click here to view our range of Glengoyne whisky

Written by Oliver Partington