Auchroisk
One of Diageo’s ‘nutty-spicy’ sites.
Glen Elgin
Distillery & brand
Fruitiness is the key to Glen Elgin’s character – a lush fruitiness at that – which is achieved through clear wort, long fermentation and slow distillation in its six stills to clean out sulphur, but then condensing takes place in worm tubs which adds weight and complexity. Complicated stuff.
Glen Elgin distillery
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Little surprise perhaps that Glen Elgin has been a major contributor to blends, White Horse in particular (there was a legendary 12-year-old exclusive for Japan which heavily promoted the White Horse link on the label). It was a member of Diageo’s ‘Hidden Malts’ range which appeared, briefly, at the start of the Millennium before being dropped in favour of the higher-volume Singleton family. As a result, it remains a minor cult among malt aficionados and is revered by blenders.
Glen Elgin History
Located in the strangely-named hamlet of Fogwatt, Glen Elgin’s early years were somewhat precarious. It started production in 1900 just as whisky was entering one of its periodic slumps and promptly was mothballed twice before being sold in 1906. It joined DCL in 1929 and was licensed to White Horse Distillers. Electricity only arrived at the distillery in 1950. Up until then it was operated by paraffin.
Timeline
- 1898 Glen Elgin is founded in Morayshire by bankers William Simpson and James Carle
- 1900 The distillery begins production but is closed only five months later
- 1901 The next year Glen Elgin is auctioned off to the Glen Elgin-Glenlivet Distillery Cofor £4,000
- 1906 Wine producer JJ Blanche & Co buys the distillery and restarts production
- 1930 Following the death of JJ Blanche the previous year, Glen Elgin is bought by Scottish Malt Distillers under license of White Horse
- 1964 The distillery flourishes, and its stills are increased from two to six
- 1992 Glen Elgin closes for three years to undergo further refurbishment and the installation of new stills
- 2001 Glen Elgin 12 Year Old appears in the Flora and Fauna range
- 2008 Diageo launch a 16 year old as a Special Release
Glen Elgin Facts
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- Condenser Type i
- Worm tub
-
- Fermentation Time i
- 90hrs
-
- Filling Strength i
- 63.5%
-
- Grist Weight (t) i
- 8.2
-
- Heat Source i
- Steam
-
- Malt Specification i
- Non peated
-
- Malt Supplier i
- Mainly in house
-
- Mash Tun Type i
- Lauter
-
- New-make Phenol Level i
- Non peaty
-
- New-make Strength i
- 66-67%
-
- Spirit Still Charge (l) i
- 8,000
-
- Spirit Still Shape i
- Plain
-
- Stills i
- 6
-
- Wash Still Charge (l) i
- 6,500
-
- Wash Still Shape i
- Plain
-
- Washback Type i
- Wood
-
- Washbacks i
- 9
-
- Water Source i
- Millbules Spring
-
- Wort Clarity i
- Clear
-
- Yeast Type i
- Creamed
Owners
Current owner
- Diageo 1997 - present
Previous owners
- United Distillers 1986 - 1997
- Distillers Company Limited 1930 - 1986
- JJ Blanche & Co 1906 - 1930
- Glen Elgin-Glenlivet Distillery Co 1901 - 1906
- William Simpson and James Carle 1898 - 1901
Contact
- Address
-
Glen Elgin Distillery
Glen Elgin Road
Longmorn
Moray
IV30 8SL
United Kingdom - Phone
- +44 1343 862100
- Visitor Opening Hours
- Not open to the public
Map
See also
-
Distillery & brand