The Glenlivet Distillery
Speyside distillery founded 1824 — the first licensed distillery under the 1823 Excise Act.
The Glenlivet Distillery, founded by George Smith in 1824 in the Livet glen of Speyside, was the first distillery licensed under the British Excise Act of 1823 which legalised small-scale distilling and effectively ended the predominantly illicit pre-1823 Highland whisky trade. The distillery, located in the parish of Glenlivet, Moray, is owned today by Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard). An 1880 court ruling restricted the definite article 'The' to George Smith's original distillery after numerous Speyside competitors had appended 'Glenlivet' to their own names. The distillery is one of the largest single malt producers in Scotch by capacity.
Quick facts
- Type
- Distillery History
- Region
- Speyside
- Era
- 1824–present
- Origin
- Glenlivet, Moray, Scotland
Founding and the 1823 Excise Act
George Smith took out a licence in 1824 under the 1823 Excise Act, which reduced duty on distilled spirits and permitted licensed small-scale Highland distilling for the first time. Smith reportedly carried pistols in the early years to deter retaliation from neighbouring illicit distillers. The distillery drew water from Josie's Well and used barley grown on Speyside farms. The name 'Glenlivet' was so widely imitated by other Speyside distilleries that an 1880 court ruling restricted 'The' Glenlivet to George Smith's original site.
Production
The Glenlivet uses lantern-shaped copper pot stills with tall necks, contributing to its light, floral spirit profile. Fermentation runs approximately 50 hours in stainless steel washbacks. Maturation is primarily in ex-bourbon American oak with some sherry-cask finishing. The 12-year-old expression is the long-running flagship; the 15 French Oak Reserve, 18, 21, and 25 Year expressions extend the range.
Sources & further reading (1)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-15
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called 'The' Glenlivet?
An 1880 court ruling restricted the definite article 'The' to George Smith's original Glenlivet distillery after numerous Speyside distilleries had appended 'Glenlivet' to their own names. The original distillery alone retains the legal right to the prefix.