The Glenlivet is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky brand founded in 1824 by George Smith in the Glenlivet valley of Scotland.^[1] Established following the Excise Act of 1823, it was the first legally licensed whisky producer in the Livet valley, within the Speyside region,^[2][3][4] and its whisky was used in 19th-century blended Scotch.^[5][6] It is owned by Chivas Brothers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard.^[7] According to industry data from the International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR), The Glenlivet was the world’s best-selling single malt Scotch whisky by volume in 2014.^[8][9]

Early history

In the early 19th century, the Glenlivet area in Scotland was known for illicit distillation.^[1][10] Whisky produced in the Glenlivet area had a reputation for quality. During a visit to Scotland in 1822, King George IV reportedly requested Glenlivet whisky.^[2][11]

Licensing

Following the Excise Act of 1823, George Smith obtained a licence in 1824 to distil legally in Glenlivet, and became the first licensed distiller in the Livet valley, within the Speyside region.^[7][4] This led to conflict with local illicit distillers and Smith reportedly carried pistols for protection.^{[2][5][7][11]}

Use in blended Scotch whisky

Glenlivet whisky was used both as a single malt and as a component in blended Scotch during the 19th century. Andrew Usher of Edinburgh began distributing Glenlivet whisky in the 1830s, became its agent in 1844, and in 1853 introduced Old Vatted Glenlivet, one of the first commercial blended whiskies.^[5][6]

Trademark dispute

By the mid 19th century, several distilleries were using “Glenlivet” as a suffix to their own name.^[12] George Smith and his son John Gordon Smith took steps to protect the brand’s identity, filing the name Glenlivet at Stationer’s Hall in London in 1859. Following the Trademark Registration Act 1875, John Gordon Smith applied for formal trademark protection. A High Court ruling in 1884 granted exclusive use of the definite article “The Glenlivet” to the Smith family for whisky produced at The Glenlivet distillery to distinguish it from other distilleries who were permitted to continue to use “Glenlivet” only in conjunction with their own names.^[6]

20th century and later developments

After the repeal of Prohibition in the United States in 1933, The Glenlivet was among the early single malt Scotch whiskies promoted in the American market. During the mid-20th century, members of the Smith family, including Bill Smith Grant, developed export markets, and the brand was marketed internationally.^[1][11][13]

The Glenlivet remained in family ownership until 1952, after which it underwent a series of mergers and acquisitions, becoming part of Seagram in 1978. Following Seagram’s collapse in 2001, the brand was acquired by Pernod Ricard as part of the Chivas Brothers portfolio.^[5][11]

In 2024, the bicentenary of its first distilling licence was marked with limited releases, including 55- and 56-year-old expressions in the Eternal Collection.^[14][15]

The Glenlivet range includes age-statement and non-age-statement (NAS) single malt Scotch whiskies. Core expressions include 12, 15 and 18-year-old bottlings, alongside NAS releases and limited editions.^[16] The Nàdurra range, introduced in the 2000s, consists of cask-strength and non-chill-filtered expressions.^[17] Higher-aged bottlings have been released under collections such as the Winchester Collection.^[18]

According to the IWSR, The Glenlivet sold 1.065 million nine-litre cases in 2014, the highest reported volume among single malt Scotch whiskies that year.^[8][9]