Founded in 1763, Glenturret is Scotland's oldest working distillery, sitting alongside the River Turret just outside Crieff. It survived centuries of booms and busts in the Scotch whisky industry, and today it occupies a beautifully restored stone complex that feels more like a country estate than a working distillery. Tours take visitors through the full production process — from malting to maturation — and the guides are knowledgeable without being stuffy.
The distillery underwent a major transformation after a partnership with French luxury house Lalique, which brought both investment and a new aesthetic sensibility. The visitor experience is polished: there are several tiers of tasting, a well-stocked shop, and the remarkable Lalique Restaurant on site. Even those indifferent to whisky find the setting and the production story compelling.
For many years Glenturret was associated with The Famous Grouse blended Scotch, which used the distillery as a visitor experience base. That chapter has closed and the focus is now squarely on Glenturret's own single malt, which has found a devoted following. Booking tours in advance is recommended, especially in summer.