The Glenlivet Distillery sits in a wild and remote glen with its history laced with drama and intrigue. It's a tale of grit and graft - of seeing off smugglers, excisemen and copycats - of knowing the importance of home and putting it on the map.
This is the single malt that started it all.
In the early 19th century, the glen was a fairly lawless place where smugglers traded under cover in illicit bothies. Our founder, George Smith, was a visionary during this time making a smooth and balanced single malt that was highly sought after by both criminals and royals alike.
Unafraid to break traditions, he made the bold decision to purchase a license and build the very first legal distillery here in the Livet Valley. But it is not easy being the original.
His decision was hugely unpopular with neighbours and smugglers, who threatened to burn the new distillery down.
George stood his ground and was given a pair of pistols from the Laird of Aberlour to protect himself – and his single malt.
The Smith family followed in his footsteps with their forward-thinking attitudes and throughout the generations they secured his legacy for the future.
200 years after it all started, like George himself, we’re still the original.
Shaking things up, breaking new ground and twisting traditions to bring the smooth, balanced taste of The Glenlivet all over the world.
