Glen Garioch Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Glen Garioch single malt Scotch whisky (pronounced “Glen Geery”) is one of Scotland’s oldest operating distilleries, founded in 1797 in the market town of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire. Situated in the heart of the fertile “Granary of Aberdeenshire,” Glen Garioch has long benefited from its location amid some of Scotland’s best barley-growing land, which historically supplied much of the grain used in production.

As a Highland malt, Glen Garioch’s style is robust, malty, and full-flavoured, with a profile that has evolved over time. In its earlier years, the distillery produced a peated spirit, reflecting the traditional fuel sources of the Highlands. In the late 20th century, production shifted to an unpeated style, emphasising malt sweetness and complexity. More recently, Glen Garioch has reintroduced a light peat influence in some expressions, nodding to its heritage while still offering the rounded, cereal-led character for which it is known today.

The distillery uses water from the Coutens Spring, and fermentation is relatively long, encouraging a rich development of fruity esters. Distillation in squat copper pot stills with wide necks produces a weighty spirit that stands up well to extended maturation. Glen Garioch matures much of its whisky in bourbon barrels, which impart vanilla and honey notes, while sherry casks bring layers of dried fruit, spice, and depth.

The core range includes the 12 Year Old, a non-chill-filtered expression that showcases the distillery’s balance of toffee sweetness, orchard fruit, and gentle spice, with a malty backbone. The Founders’ Reserve offers a younger, fresher take on the house style, while older limited editions, often vintage-dated, reveal greater complexity, with notes of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and leather emerging over time. Glen Garioch has also earned praise for its cask strength bottlings, which deliver the full intensity of its rich Highland spirit.

Independent bottlings from producers like Gordon & MacPhail, Signatory Vintage, and Hunter Laing are relatively rare but highly regarded, often showing off Glen Garioch’s ability to age gracefully over decades. Casks from the 1970s and early 1980s, particularly those with a higher peat influence, are especially prized among collectors.

Flavour-wise, Glen Garioch tends to offer a solid structure with malty sweetness, hints of toffee and honey, and a core of orchard and stone fruits. Depending on the cask type, you might find additional layers of spice, chocolate, or light smoke. The whisky’s full body and balanced complexity make it a great match for hearty dishes, strong cheeses, and dark chocolate.

Our Glen Garioch Single Malt Scotch Whisky selection spans the approachable 12 Year Old to rare, older vintages and special cask releases. Whether you’re discovering this historic Highland distillery for the first time or hunting for a vintage bottling with real depth, Glen Garioch offers a satisfying blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and character that reflects more than two centuries of whisky-making heritage.