The Glenlivet Distillery — Attraction in Great Britain

Thoroughly enjoyed the single cask tasting led by Andrew - he was passionate about whisky in general and about the Glenlivet in particular, and it showed. The tasting itself comprised of four single casks, including one by Glentauchers - a great idea to include something from this unsung distillery.

The hand-fill options at the shop included small batch cask strength versions of the standard Glenlivet 12 and 15 year-old expressions, and were much better value than similar examples in most other distilleries. It's refreshing to see a major global brand like the Glenlivet cater to regular whisky drinkers, both beginners and self-professed whisky geeks alike.

Throughout the visit, as well as during booking, staff went the extra mile to accommodate us and make us feel welcome. I had previously ignored the Glenlivet in other visits to Speyside, preferring to focus on lesser-known distilleries, but on this showing I'll be a repeat visitor for many years to come hopefully.

As an aside, the ambience in the tasting area, bar, lounge and shop was among the best I've seen in any distillery - they've done a great job with the recent refurbishment.

If I had one small criticism, it would be that the introduction to the distillery's history in the beginning of the tasting was too long - it was about 40 minutes before we started sampling the whiskies. Under a less engaging and passionate guide than Andrew, I can imagine it feeling a bit tedious. Of course you need an introduction before the tasting starts, but I feel a more abridged version (something around 10 minutes, like at the similar single cask tasting at Aberlour) is appropriate, with a more detailed look at the history reserved for the tours only.

But that's nitpicking - thank you Glenlivet (and Andrew in particular) for making my visit...

Deeply Disappointing and Stingy Experience!

As someone who absolutely loved Glenlivet whisky, I made the effort to travel all the way from another country, planning my journey carefully to visit this remote distillery. Sadly, it turned out to be one of the most disappointing and unsatisfactory experiences I have ever had.

The tour itself was extremely basic — just a simple explanation of the whisky-making process that felt uninspired. We weren’t shown anything beyond the bare minimum — no glimpse into the packaging process, even the storage warehouse they showed us was a dummy one.

The whisky tasting was even worse. We were given the tiniest pours imaginable of the 12-year-old, 14-year-old, and 16-year-old. For those who couldn’t drink on-site, their solution was laughable: three minuscule tubes, a tiny funnel, and instructions to pour the whisky yourself and take it home. I have never seen such a stingy and ridiculous approach to whisky tasting, especially from a brand with Glenlivet’s prestige.

There were no complimentary souvenirs, not even a postcard to remember the visit. We ended up purchasing a few miniature bottles, and to top it all off, they even charged extra for the bag without asking — truly adding insult to injury.

It honestly broke my heart. Glenlivet was my all-time favorite whisky, and visiting their distillery was supposed to be a highlight of my trip. Instead, it completely shattered my affection for the brand. After the effort it takes to reach them — you would expect a warm, memorable, and generous experience. What we received instead was cold, stingy, and utterly disappointing.

I would not recommend this tour to anyone. Glenlivet, you have truly...

I had the pleasure of visiting the Glenlivet Distillery and it was an incredible experience from start to finish! The distillery itself is beautifully set in the heart of Speyside, offering breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands, which perfectly complements the rich heritage and legacy of Glenlivet whisky.

Our tour was led by Hanna, who truly made the visit unforgettable. She was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Glenlivet’s history and production process. Hanna’s enthusiasm was infectious, and she answered all of our questions with such detail and care. She really took the time to ensure everyone on the tour understood the intricate steps involved in crafting their famous Scotch, from the malting and mashing to the aging and bottling processes. It was clear she takes pride in her work, and her dedication added so much value to the experience. Hopefully next time we see her in a few years she will be a part of the production team.

We had the opportunity to sample a few of their exclusive whiskies, and each one was exceptional—smooth, rich, and perfectly crafted. Glenlivet truly lives up to its reputation as one of the best Scotch distilleries in the world.

For anyone looking to visit a Scotch distillery, I highly recommend Glenlivet. Whether you’re a whisky aficionado or just looking to learn more about the production of Scotch, this is a must-visit destination. And if you’re lucky enough to have Hanna as your guide, you’re in for...