Our history
The Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret, Scotland's oldest working distillery and most visited whisky experience. From as long as 1717 uisque beatha, (the water of life- whisky) has been produced on this site which today is the home of The Famous Grouse. The Glenturret distillery is situated in a small wooded glen and has been the site of whisky production for nearly 300 years. Surviving accounts from 1717, make mention of a well established distillery sited by the Turret Burn from where whisky 'of the finest type could be procured'. Over the years that followed, the distillery became well known and respected within the growing whisky trade. Whisky production in Scotland reached a level where supply exceeded domestic market demand and export trade was established, in particular with France and Ireland. Then with the arrival of punitive excise duties, production was driven 'underground'. Illicit stills proliferated in hidden glens and smuggling was rife accross the land.
However, the turbulent times passed, sense prevailed and after the ups and downs, whisky production came of age. Excise duty was controlled at more approproiate levels and production was regulated. An industry whaich was to become one of the most important to Scotland was established and from a local perspective, Glenturret single highland malt scotch whisky emerged as one of Scotland's finest.
The Famous Grouse Stained Glass
And so to The Famous Grouse brand, a story with a vision- the pursuit of quality. It starts early in the 19th century when a certain Matthew Gloag established a grocery and wine supply business in Perth. His business flourished and grew through six generations of the Gloag family. In the 1890's, when wealthy Victorians travelled to Scotland in increasing numbers to to enjoy country sports, clean air and the magnificent scenery, the Gloags saw the opportunity to introduce a special whisky for these discerning customers.
They set about introducing their own brand of blended whisky with a single aim- to offer consistency and quality. They called it The Grouse Brand and Matthew's daughter Phillipa drew the 'Red Grouse' for its first lablel. Such was its almost immediate acceptance and popularity they decided to rename it in 1896 as The Famous Grouse.
The Famous Grouse Street Lamp
So there are are the two stories but what is the connection? Well, it's this- one of the essential ingredients that make The Famous Grouse whisky so universally acclaimed is none other than Glenturret single highland malt scotch whisky. A happy marriage indeed- The Famous Grouse, Scotland's favourite whisky at Scotland's oldest working distillery.