• Founded: 1797
• Status: Operational
• Region: Highlands, Scotland – Oldmeldrum, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire AB51 0ES +44(0)1651 873450
• Online: https://www.glengarioch.com/

History The location chosen by John & Alexander Manson for their malt whisky distillery in 1797 was an obvious one. Oldmeldrum in the celebrated ‘Valley of the Garioch’ was named “The Granary of Aberdeenshire”, famous for producing the finest barley in all of Scotland. The distillery, which originally incorporated a brewery and tannery, stands on the very edge of the town Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire. The Garioch — pronounced ‘Geery’ — is a tract of richly fertile land, some 150 square miles (390 km2) in extent. The location is known as ‘the granary of Aberdeenshire’, where barley and crystal springs have been abundant for over a thousand years, so it is not surprising that Glen Garioch Distillery was established as early as 1794 — one of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland. In 1968 the production of Glen Garioch was suspended on account of ‘chronic water shortages’, however in 1972 a manager was appointed with a brief to find another water source. A spring was discovered on a neighbouring farm. It came to be called ‘The Silent Spring’ as it could neither be seen nor heard. Leading with the 1797 Founders Reserve at the heart of the range, Glen Garioch will periodically release hand selected individual batches of stock at the peak of their perfection, aiming to demonstrate the quality and breadth of the Glen Garioch spirit. Launched as ‘Single Batch Releases’, the first will be the Glen Garioch 1990 Vintage and the Glen Garioch 1978 Vintage which will join the 1797 Founders Reserve. It is operated by Morrison Bowmore Distillers, which is owned by the Japanese company Suntory.

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

Official Bottling

• Glen Garioch 15 Year Old 1998 Wine Cask Matured (2017) - Glen Garioch 15 Year Old 1998 Wine Cask Matured (48%, OB, Batch 24, 5400 Bottles, 2014) Whisky review Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Glen Garioch Distillery Bottling: Morrison Bowmore ABV: […]
• Glen Garioch 1999 Vintage (2015) - Glen Garioch 1999 Vintage Sherry Cask Matured (56.3%, OB, Oloroso Cask, Batch #30, 2013) Whisky Review Highland single malt scotch whisky Glen Garioch Distillery 56.3% ABV £61.95 for 70cl Score: 89/100 What […]
• Glen Garioch Virgin Oak (2014) - Glen Garioch Virgin Oak (48%, OB, 2013) Highland single malt scotch whisky Glen Garioch distillery 48% ABV, £65 for 70cl Score: 79/100 What they say: 48% ABV Bottled: 2013 Cask: Virgin North […]

Independent Bottling

Lady of the Glen

• Glen Garioch 11 Years Old 2008 (2020) - Glen Garioch 11 Years Old 2008 whisky review: A nice and gentle introductory dram, fruity and creamy with some more developed 'green' kiwi and melon flavours. 84/100

Milroy’s of Soho

• Glen Garioch 33 Years Old 1978 single cask (2015) - Glen Garioch 33 Years Old 1978 (58.8%, Milroy’s of Soho, Cask #10999, 146 Bottles, 2015) Highland single malt scotch whisky 58.8% ABV, £300 for 70cl from Milroy’s of Soho Score: 91/100 What […]