The Glengoyne Distillery is a whisky maker near Glasgow on the border of the highlands and lowlands. It has been making whiskey for hundreds of years, and you can learn all about the process and taste the whiskies on a Glengoyne Distillery tour.
There are multiple tours each day and I took one of the Glengoyne Distillery tours recently. It was an absolutely fantastic experience and I learned so much about the making of this fiery tipple. The distillery is set within gorgeous mountain surroundings.
The tours include a whisky tasting where you’ll get to try three Glengoyne whiskies; a 12-year-old, an 18-year-old, and a 21-year-old. You’ll see the rooms where the whisky is distilled, the casks are stored and learn all there is to know about whisky-making in Scotland.
Book your Glengoyne Whisky tour with Get Your Guide by submitting the form below. Click here for more info.
About the Glengoyne Whisky Distillery
Glengoyne Distillery is a renowned Scottish whisky distillery nestled in the serene landscapes of Dumgoyne, just north of Glasgow. With a rich heritage dating back to 1833, Glengoyne has been crafting exceptional single malt whiskies for over a century.
What sets Glengoyne apart is its commitment to traditional distilling methods and a slower maturation process, allowing the whisky to develop a distinctively smooth and complex flavor profile.
The distillery takes pride in using only the finest, locally sourced ingredients, including barley grown in the surrounding fields and water from the nearby Glengoyne Burn.
Glengoyne’s unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and its breathtaking location make it a must-visit destination for whisky enthusiasts and lovers of Scottish culture alike.
Glengoyne Distillery Tour
What’s included in the tour
- Tour of the Distillery
- Knowledgeable and friendly guide (English)
- Whisky Tasting with chocolate pairing
- -Discount in the Glengoyne Distillery shop
How to Book
You can book online through our partners at Get Your Guide (this is how I booked, and I use them for all the tours I take). Click here to book.
Tickets will be emailed and just show this at reception.
The ticket cost £30 and included the tour of the distillery and tasting of three whiskies (plus chocolate pairing). The tour lasted just under two hours including the tasting. Book your tour now.
Facilities at Glengoyne Distillery
- Glengoyne Distillery Shop
- Onsite parking
- Clean toilets
- Baby changing facilities
Glengoyne Distillery Location
The distillery is located 13 miles (21 km) north of Glasgow on the border of the Scottish lowlands and the Highlands (in fact, the distillery straddles both, but Glengoyne Whisky is classed as a Highland Whisky.
The distillery is set within gorgeous surroundings with a mountain backdrop. I’d highly recommend spending the day and also going on a hike before returning to Glasgow. The site was chosen thanks to a nearby waterfall providing unlimited fresh water (the key component in whisky-making, aside from the barley).
Getting There from Glasgow
Address: Dumgoyne, Killearn, Glasgow G63 9LB. Click here for directions.
Website: www.glengoyne.com
There are hourly buses from Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station. Service 10X and 10XA depart hourly from stand 34. Click here for directions. The bus stops directly outside the distillery.
There is plenty of onsite parking for those driving. From Glasgow take the A879 and then the A81. The journey by car is around 20 minutes.
Did you know you can get to Scotland from Northern Ireland on the Belfast Cairnryan ferry?
About the tour
The tour started on time and we were given an introduction to the distillery and Glengoyne whisky. We made our way across the courtyard to the malting room where the process was explained. However, nowadays the barley is bought pre-malted.
Next we visited the large still where water and yeast are added to the malted barley. The mixture is then funneled into huge casks where the fermentation process begins. One of the barrels was opened so we could take a look (and smell).
Distillery
Next, we were led to the distillery itself, where the liquid is double-distilled. After this, we were taken to the storage room where the whisky is left to age in casks. There was a display of bottles from almost clear to dark, showing the aging process. It’s noticeable how the colour deepens the longer it sits in the oak barrels.
What’s also noticeable is that the volume decreases the longer the whisky is aged, and the evaporated whisky is known as the angel’s share. Finally, we were taken to the onsite house for the tasting. Each person had three glasses lined up and three chocolates for pairing (those driving were given bottles to take away).
Tasting
We were shown how to taste the whisky and examine the notes and flavours, and this was definitely the most fun part. Although I prefer Islay single malts, each whisky was delicious.
Our guide was very friendly, knowledgeable and encouraged questions, and everyone seemed to take as much from the experience as I did. I’ll now have to make room on my shelf for a Glengoyne whisky alongside my Islay ones.
Glengoyne Distillery Shop
You can visit the Glengoyne Distillery Shop regardless of whether or not you’re on a tour. Inside is a whisky lover’s dream.
You can purchase all sorts of goodies including the entire range of Glengoyne whisky, of which the 50-year-old will set you back a cool £22,500.
Other treats include Gelngoyne fudge made with whisky, books, and other souvenirs. I didn’t have a spare 22K, so I opt for fudge and whisky miniatures (the 10-year-old is £8 for a 50cl bottle).
If you can’t make it to Scotland, you can still buy Glengoyne goodies from their online shop.
FAQs
Glengoyne is a Highland whisky. The distillery itself is located on the border of the lowlands and the highlands.
Glengoyne is owned by Ian Macleod Distillers based in West Lothian who purchased the distillery in 2003.
Glengoyne has a light and fresh taste with notes of toffee, chocolate and apple. The taste differs depending on age, with the older whiskies having a stronger flavour as a result of sitting in the barrels for longer.
You can take photographs in most areas of Glengoyne except the distillery itself (your guide will tell you where you can and can’t take pictures.
Conclusion
Taking a Glengoynee tour is an excellent way to learn about Scottish whiskies and taste the finished product. I had an absolutely fantastic time on this tour and came away with a new appreciation for Highland whiskies. Book your tour today.
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About the author:
Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of the world by train, bus and boat. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC and recently featured in the documentary Scariest Places in the World. See the About page for more info.
Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲