Glen Elgin is known for its lush fruitiness, a key characteristic shaped by clear wort, long fermentation, and slow distillation in its six stills. These techniques help eliminate sulphur, while the use of worm tubs in the condensation process adds weight and complexity to the whisky. This combination of methods has made Glen Elgin a significant contributor to blends, particularly White Horse. The distillery even had a legendary 12-year-old exclusive for Japan that highlighted the White Horse connection.
Part of Diageo’s ‘Hidden Malts’ range at the turn of the Millennium, Glen Elgin was later replaced by higher-volume offerings from the Singleton family, which led to its relatively obscure status despite being highly regarded by malt aficionados and blenders.
Glen Elgin’s history is marked by some instability. It began production in 1900, just as the whisky industry was facing a downturn. The distillery was mothballed twice before being sold in 1906. It was acquired by DCL in 1929 and licensed to White Horse Distillers. Interestingly, Glen Elgin did not have electricity until 1950, operating on paraffin until then. The distillery is located in Fogwatt, a hamlet with a rather peculiar name.
