5 Things You Might Not Know About Glengoyne

Thursday, 27 November 2025 at 15:03

In Scotland you’ll find the Glengoyne Distillery. Tucked at the foot of Dungoyne Hill, it’s one of the country’s most remarkable distilleries. Whisky has been made at this special place for over two centuries. Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about Glengoyne Distillery.

FAQ

Where is Glengoyne Distillery located?
On the border between the Scottish Highlands and the Lowlands.
What kind of whisky does Glengoyne Distillery make?
Scottish single malt whisky.
What is Glengoyne known for?
Its slow distillation, which creates a soft, elegant character.

Highland whisky matured in the Lowlands

Scotland is rich in whisky regions, each with its own traditional character. Besides Campbeltown, Islay, and Speyside, the country is divided into the Highlands and the Lowlands. Glengoyne is a distillery that literally operates on the border of two worlds.

The distillery itself sits in the Highlands, but the maturation warehouses are just across the road, officially in the Lowlands. The geographic boundary between the two whisky regions runs straight through the distillery’s grounds.

This setup makes the Scottish distillery unique. When you raise a glass of Glengoyne to your lips, you’re essentially drinking a Highland whisky: one that has matured in the Lowlands. Glengoyne’s character lets you savour the best of two regions at once.

Warm air instead of peat smoke

When it comes to drying barley, Glengoyne is fairly unique. In the past, almost all barley in Scotland was dried over peat smoke, but that’s no longer the case.

Today, distilleries use a variety of methods to dry barley. At Glengoyne, they use a technique that preserves every ounce of barley character. The distillery uses only warm, clean air to dry the grain. That means not a hint of smoke or any other scent finds its way into the spirit. The result is a profile rich in apple, honey, toffee, and malt.

This character also stems from the distillery’s next defining trait.

“The Right Way is The Long Way”

Glengoyne Distillery has been taking its time for centuries. Distillation happens incredibly slowly, central to Glengoyne’s motto: “The Right Way is the Long Way.”

It’s more than a marketing line; it’s a philosophy that’s guided them for over 200 years.

Their runs take on average three times longer than at other Scottish distilleries. It may take ages to produce enough spirit to fill a cask and it yields less overall, but it has an enormously positive impact on the spirit.

The result is purity and lightness. The whisky leans into bright fruit notes with gentle malt and an exceptionally smooth mouthfeel. You guessed it: people love it.

Sustainability first

Glengoyne is not only traditional; it’s also a trendsetter. Long before sustainability became a hot topic in the whisky world, Glengoyne was already embracing eco-friendly practices.

The distillery partly runs on self-generated green energy, and it uses a natural wetland filtration system to purify wastewater. Thanks to this system, the local ecosystem is better protected. There are beehives on the grounds, and packaging is made from recycled (and local) materials.

A history of many names

Finally, a bit of history. The distillery officially opened in 1833, almost 200 years ago, but the story of Glengoyne stretches back much further. For a long time in Scotland, whisky was made illicitly and the hilly terrain around Glengoyne was perfect for it. After legalization, the distillery was first called Burnfoot Distillery.

Years later, the name changed to Glen Guin, meaning “valley of the geese.” Over time, that evolved into Glengoyne, but the geese on the label still nod to the original name with every sip.

The whisky itself hasn’t changed. Distillation is still incredibly slow, with all the time in the world taken to get it right. The spirit remains beautifully light and pure, bursting with fruit-forward flavours. Feeling thirsty yet? You’ll find Glengoyne at the better bottle shops.