History

History

The Glenturret Distillery has an extraordinary provenance that is second to none in Scottish whisky. This provenance is built on an unparalleled history – join us on a journey through the centuries.

THE FIRST RECORD

1763

THE FIRST RECORD

In 1763, a rental document of Sir Patrick Murray of Ochtertyre refers to Thurot Distillery, the earliest known name for Glenturret. The Murrays of Ochtertyre were a Baronial family that owned extensive lands and property that they would rent out to tenants. This is the earliest record that we have of The Glenturret and it is this that gives us confidence to state that The Glenturret is Scotland’s Oldest Working Distillery. We are however, constantly searching for earlier records of this fascinating and historic distillery.

NEW OWNERS. NEW NEIGHBOURS.

1814

NEW OWNERS. NEW NEIGHBOURS.

In 1814, the Murray family sold Thurot Distillery to Thomas MacInnes, who renamed it The Hosh Distillery. (It remained The Hosh until 1873, when The Glenturret name was reinstated for good.) Around this time, MacInnes’ uncle, Thomas McComish, also started to operate the nearby mill as a distillery. Both distilleries were similar in size, and it is likely that uncle and nephew worked closely together to run both operations, they were collaborators, competitors, but most of all, dedicated whisky-makers.

The Ochtertyre Agreement

1825

The Ochtertyre Agreement

Seven years after purchasing the Hosh Distillery in 1825 local distillers and grain merchants John and Hugh Drummond secured the Ochtertyre Agreement, which granted the distillery explicit permission to use both water from Loch Turret and peat from the riverbank in its production. A marriage of land and spirit. Being passionate pioneers, securing the best quality ingredients, understanding the importance of the terrior and obsessive around detail the brothers were important in setting the foundations of the crucial elements that make our whisky today.

The rushing stream

1828

The rushing stream

A tributary of the River Tay, the River Turret has always provided the distillery with an unparalleled source of water. In its Latin form ‘Torreglen’, Glenturret means land of the rushing stream. Several times in the distillery’s long history, great floods have pushed the river to breaking point, as was the case during the great storm of 1828, when the Perthshire Courier reported that the distillery was *‘completely inundated’ with water, and ‘the utensils carried off and spirits destroyed.’

The Hosh comes to London

1853

The Hosh comes to London

In November 1853, an advert in the Morning Advertiser announced the arrival of whisky from Glen Turret to London society: ‘To Coffee-rooms or Parlours - the celebrated Hosh Scotch Malt Whisky, being an article unrivalled in London, may be introduced to great advantage.’

Time worn experience

1887

Time worn experience

Famed chronicler of Victorian-era distilleries Alfred Barnard visited The Glenturret Distillery in the 1880s. Barnard commented: ‘Here are no new fads, appliances, or patents, but, like the buildings, the vessels are all of the ancient pattern.’ Even back then, The Glenturret was considered remarkably traditional, operated as it always had been – with time worn experience and a respect for the craft.

The Mitchell Brothers

1890

The Mitchell Brothers

By the late 19th century, two more brothers were at the helm of The Glenturret. David and William Mitchell were Scots-born whisky merchants with global ambitions. In 1886 they had purchased Connswater Distillery in Belfast, one of the largest in the British Isles at the time, and in 1890, they added The Glenturret to their portfolio. Soon, this famed family of distillers, merchants and blenders were exporting their whisky to Australia, the USA and South Africa.

The Glenturret falls silent

1923

The Glenturret falls silent

The Mitchell brothers passed the business on to their respective sons, who ran the distillery as a family business until the challenging times of the 1920s. High duty rates, alcohol prohibition in the USA, and a growing support for the temperance movement saw the virtual collapse of the Scottish whisky industry – and by 1923, production at The Glenturret had stopped. While the distillery was silent, it was reported that 96,000 gallons of whisky continued to mature in its warehouses. A small, dedicated team continued to look after this precious stock, whilst maintaining the distillery for future generations.

Bringing back the magic

1957

Bringing back the magic

In 1957, James Fairlie purchased The Glenturret Distillery, which had been silent for over 30 years. Fairlie was a visionary with the ambition ‘to preserve the traditional methods of distilling and to grow the appreciation for whisky.’ He sought to bring back the magic of the past, and reinstated the original distilling equipment. Fairlie subsequently led the distillery for over 20 years as both Director and Master Distiller.

The Glenturret opens its doors

1980

The Glenturret opens its doors

James Fairlie believed The Glenturret’s exceptional whisky-making heritage should be celebrated. In 1980, he established a distillery visitor centre, one of the first in Scotland. In the early years, one visitor described The Glenturret as ‘the nearest thing to a one-man distillery in Scotland.’ Fairlie’s dedication to preserving the work of Glenturret’s pioneers, and taking it to the modern world, was clear to one and all.

One million visitors

1991

One million visitors

Just 11 years later, in 1991, The Glenturret welcomed its millionth visitor. While no longer owner of the distillery, Fairlie’s vision had truly been realised. While two years later, and now owned by Highland Distillers Ltd, The Glenturret welcomed British Prime Minister John Major as a visitor – underlining the distillery’s provenance.

A right royal visit

2014

A right royal visit

In 2014, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the distillery during an official tour of Scotland. Known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn in Scotland, William and Kate enjoyed a dram – and also hand-filled and signed a bottle, which is now stored at the distillery in preparation for future auction.

New owners

2019

New owners

In March 2019, The Glenturret Distillery was purchased by a joint venture led by The Lalique Group, a French luxury lifestyle company.

A defining moment

2020

A defining moment

In September 2020, after more than 250 years of distilling, The Glenturret embarks on the next stage of its journey – bringing its exclusive single malt to thousands of whisky lovers worldwide. With a completely new range crafted by the highly respected Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno, including the first decanter in The Trinity Series, Provenance - this is an era-defining moment that unites Glenturret’s contemporary elegance with the distillery’s long-standing reputation for traditional craftsmanship.

First 50 Years Old

2022

First 50 Years Old

In September 2022, decanter #1 of 150 of The Glenturret 50 Years Old expression, was auctioned off by Sotheby’s as part of their ‘Whisky in Lalique’ auction. The​​ final auction price of the decanter and bespoke artwork from Matthew Draper sold for £63,000 and was presented in a bespoke black case with mother of pearl inlays.

The Trinity Series - Prowess

2022

The Trinity Series - Prowess

The second in The Trinity Series, The Glenturret Prowess is released. Created by Master Blender Bob Dalgarno, the whisky is drawn from two casks filled in 1987 and one filled in 1988, bottled in December 2022 at 33 years old. Presented in a beautiful crystal decanter designed by Marc Larminaux Artistic and Creative Director at Lalique, inspired by the many skilled hands that create the whisky at every step of its journey to bottling. Prowess celebrates the craft, commitment and patience required to create a whisky of such depth and richness of spirit.

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