Braeval Distillery Manager's Tour

Manager's Tour of Braeval Distillery, which is never normally open to the public, with Graeme McHardy, Assistant Manager. It will be followed by a dram of Braeval single malt whisky from our exclusive Distillery Reserve Collection which is on sale at Aberlour, Strathisla and The Glenlivet Brand Homes.

After George Smith took out his distillery licence in 1824, others in the glen followed his example.  Several distilleries opened in the Braes of Glenlivet, the isolated area at the head of the glen where illicit distilling and the smuggling of whisky had become a way of life.  One of the new licensed distillers there was James Grant of Grant & Co of Braeval, a small farm near the famous Scalan College.

Braeval was a small distillery, producing less than 100 gallons of whisky each week.  It seems to have opened in 1825, but the licensed distillers in the Braes were subjected to intimidation by their neighbours who feared that the opening of licensed distilleries would result in the hated Excisemen taking up permanent station in the glen.  Whether through business difficulties, or in fear of his life, James Grant closed his distillery in May 1826.

Chivas Brothers knew that the springs in the Braes of Glenlivet were reputed to have almost magical properties for making whisky, and during the 1960s decided to build a distillery there, close to the old farm of Braeval.  The first mash took place on 29 September 1973.  The distillery was originally known as Braes of Glenlivet.

Braeval takes its water from the Preenie and Kate’s Wells, which rise in the Ladder Hills nearby. The spirit is seldom available as a single malt but contributes to many of the company’s premium blends.

Over 18's only please 

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