The Glenturret Distillery is Scotland’s oldest. Its location in a secluded valley near Crieff suggests that it was first an illicit Bothy Still. Its official founding date is 1775. The Famous Grouse blended whisky was first made by Matthew Gloag, a Crieff grocer in 1896. Being a blended whisky, Grouse had no home until recently. The Edrington Group, which now owns both the distillery and the brand, decided to give Grouse a home at Glenturret in the early 2000s.
The distillery is an authentic, venerable and bijoux plant which makes it an ideal and fascinating subject for public tours. These are available throughout the year. My wife and I booked ours in advance on the internet, which gave us a priority place on the next available tour on the day of our visit. My wife chose a standard distillery experience which included a tasting of two whiskies. I selected the tasting experience, including the tasting of five whiskies. We both enjoyed the tour. Our guide gave us an interesting and accurate description of the distillery process completely devoid of the hyperboles that so many tour guides indulge in. Afterwards, we were offered a basic course in whisky flavours. As my wife was driving, I helped her out with her samples as well as sampling different styles of whisky in my tasting experience. As part of my experience I was presented with a souvenir Glenturret nosing glass and a discount on a bottle of Glenturret, which I could not resist! If you wish to learn more about whisky, there are also Warehouse, Blending and Stillman Experiences on offer.
The distillery has a well-stocked shop, pleasant cafe and is set in delightful woodland offering walks to the Crieff Hydro and the Knock.
“Website”:http://experience.thefamousgrouse.com/
