GlenAllachie Distillery
About GlenAllachie Distillery
The GlenAllachie Distillery, an independently owned and managed distillery in Scotland, is led by the experienced Billy Walker, who has a remarkable 50-year history in the whisky industry.
Located at the base of Ben Rinnes, in the heart of Speyside, the distillery emphasizes quality over quantity in its whisky production. With 16 warehouses on-site, housing over 50,000 casks, the dedicated team at GlenAllachie has full control over the entire maturation process.
This autonomy allows them to make decisions that are solely focused on producing the highest quality whisky.
History of GlenAllachie Distillery
The GlenAllachie Distillery, founded in 1967, was the fourth distillery designed by William Delmé-Evans and built by Mackinlay McPherson.
It began production in February 1968 with an initial capacity of nearly three million liters of alcohol annually. The distillery, designed for energy efficiency, started with two stills and expanded to four within six months.
In 1985, it was mothballed under Invergordon’s ownership but was later acquired by Campbell Distillers (part of Pernod Ricard) in 1989, resuming production.
In 2017, Billy Walker, Trisha Savage, and Graham Stevenson acquired the distillery, forming The GlenAllachie Distillers Company Limited. They brought over 100 years of industry experience.
The distillery’s first core range of single malt whiskies, featuring ages 10, 12, 18, and 25 years, was released in July 2018. These whiskies are known for their natural color, non-chill filtration, and a minimum of 46% ABV.
Awards Won by GlenAllachie Distillery
- International Spirits Challenge (ISC) Awards:
- Double Gold:
- GlenAllachie Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 18-Year-Old (Scotch Whisky category)
- Gold Awards:
- MacNair’s Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 12-Year-Old and 21-Year-Old
- GlenAllachie Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 12-Year-Old, 15-Year-Old, and 25-Year-Old
- Notable Mentions:
- 18-Year-Old also won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold at the Scottish Whisky Awards in 2019
- 21-Year-Old MacNair’s Lum Reek awarded World’s Best Blended Malt at the World Whiskies Awards
- Double Gold:
- LUXlife Magazine Distillery and Brewing Awards 2023:
- Scotch Whisky Distillery of the Year 2023 – Scotland
- Icons of Whisky and World Whiskies Awards 2022:
- Visitor Attraction of the Year 2022
- Category Wins:
- The GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old (Speyside Single Malt group)
- MacNair’s Lum Reek 12-Year-Old (Blended Malts Under 12 Years class)
- The GlenAllachie 15-Year-Old (Gold Medal)
- World Whiskies Awards 2021:
- World’s Best Single Malt:
- GlenAllachie’s 10-Year-Old Cask Strength Batch Release
- World’s Best Single Malt:
GlenAllachie Distillery Tour Information and Experience
The GlenAllachie Experience
- Duration: 1 hour
- Cost: £25
- Details: This tour includes a welcome dram, a guided tour through the distillery, and a sampling of three core range whiskies, including the award-winning GlenAllachie 12yo. Note that this tour does not include a visit to the warehouses.
The Premium Experience
- Duration: 1 hour
- Cost: £35
- Details: Starting with a welcome dram, this in-depth tour covers the production area and an overview of Billy’s cask management program. It concludes with a tutored tasting of premium whiskies, including limited edition releases. This tour also does not include a visit to the warehouses.
The Connoisseurs Tour
- Duration: 2 hours
- Availability: Thursdays at 14:00
- Cost: £60
- Details: An extensive tour of the distillery and warehouse, offering a comprehensive journey through GlenAllachie’s whisky making process. The tour ends with a tasting of exceptional whiskies and a £10 voucher for the shop on whiskies over £90.
The Single Cask Tasting
- Duration: 1 hour
- Availability: Mondays & Tuesdays at 14:30
- Cost: £40
- Details: A tutored tasting of exclusive Single Casks, including Single Cask whiskies from the archives and distillery-exclusive bottlings. This experience does not include a distillery tour.
GlenAllachie at Night
- Duration: 1 hour
- Availability: Thursdays in December and January
- Cost: £35
- Details: A unique evening tour including a 4-dram tasting, special discounts, and hot toddies. The experience also includes time to enjoy the whisky bar and shop.
Whisky Bar & Tasting Lounge
- Opening Times: 10am – 5pm, 7 days a week
- Details: For those without time for a tour, the Whisky Bar & Tasting Lounge offers a range of tasting flights and whiskies & rums by the glass, with an outdoor terrace overlooking Ben Rinnes.
Gift Certificates
- Details: Monetary e-certificates are available, redeemable against tour experiences bookable online.
Flask & Barrel Review of GlenAllachie Distillery
As a whiskey collector who’s been on my fair share of distillery tours, I’ve got to say, GlenAllachie Distillery is a real gem. I’m giving it a solid 4.7 out of 5.
First off, the location is breathtaking – nestled in the heart of Speyside, it’s like stepping into a whisky lover’s paradise. The tour itself was a standout. It’s not just about seeing the process, but really understanding the craft and passion that goes into each bottle.
The guide was knowledgeable and had a great way of making the complex world of whisky production both interesting and accessible.
Now, let’s talk about the tasting experience – absolutely top-notch. Tasting their award-winning range, especially the 18-year-old Single Malt, was a highlight.
It’s rich, full of character, and just shows how GlenAllachie doesn’t just make whisky, they make art.
The visitor center is cozy and inviting, and the staff make you feel right at home. The only reason I’m not going full 5 is that I felt the tour could have dived a bit deeper into their cask selection process.
But hey, that’s just me being a bit of a whisky geek. All in all, GlenAllachie is a must-visit for any whisky enthusiast out there. Cheers!
What To Do Nearby GlenAllachie Distillery
- The Malt Whisky Trail: Immerse yourself in the world of whisky with visits to various distilleries in the Moray/Speyside area.
- Walking: Engage in several fantastic walks around the local area for some scenic beauty.
- Linn Falls, Aberlour: Just 20 minutes from Aberlour High Street, this beautiful walk is a nature lover’s delight.
- Speyside Swimming Pool, Aberlour: For some physical activity, you can enjoy a swim here.
- Speyside Cooperage, Craigellachie: Learn about the craftsmanship behind whisky cask making.
- Walkers Shortbread, Aberlour: Perfect for those with a sweet tooth, visit the home of the famous Walkers Shortbread.
- Landmark Adventure, Carrbridge: A forest adventure park ideal for thrill-seekers.
- Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore: Explore Britain’s first open-air museum, perfect for history enthusiasts.
- Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie: Experience a magical day out with animals including a Polar Bear, Camel, and Bison.
- Go Ape Outdoor Activities, Banchory: Adrenaline junkies can enjoy swinging amongst trees and skateboarding along a zip wire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What restaurants are near GlenAllachie Distillery?
- Plum Garden: It has a rating of 4.7 stars on Google Maps. Their address is The Square, Aberlour AB38 9PX, United Kingdom.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +441340871617.
- Spice of India: It has a rating of 4.5 stars on Google Maps. Their address is 9-13 Church St, Dufftown, Keith AB55 4AR, United Kingdom.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +441340820820.
- The Mash Tun: It has a rating of 4.5 stars on Google Maps. Their address is Broomfield Sq, Aberlour AB38 9QP, United Kingdom.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +441340881771.
What hotels are near GlenAllachie Distillery?
- Dowans Hotel & Restaurant: It has a rating of 4.7 stars on Google Maps. Their address is Dowans Rd, Aberlour AB38 9LS, United Kingdom.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +441340871488.
- The Aberlour Hotel: It has a rating of 4.3 stars on Google Maps. Their address is 87 High St, Aberlour AB38 9QB, United Kingdom.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +441340871287.
- The Craigellachie Hotel: It has a rating of 4.4 stars on Google Maps. Their address is Victoria St, Speyside Way, Craigellachie, Aberlour AB38 9SR, United Kingdom.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +441340881204.