Get a taste of the water of life at Glen Ord Distillery

STYLING itself as the Black Isle’s own distillery, Glen Ord Distillery and Visitor Centre in Muir of Ord offers an insight into the work involved in creating our national drink.

The fifth largest Scottish distillery belonging to drinks giant Diageo, Glen Ord produces an impressive five million gallons of alcohol a year, most notably the Singleton single malt.

However, it is also closely tied to the history of Clan MacKenzie, having been founded by Thomas Mackenzie of Ord in 1838 to take advantage of the barley produced by the rich soil of the Black Isle.

Tours include not only the opportunity to see the manufacturing process, but also to sample the finished product, with Glen Ord’s tutored tasting sessions in the distillery’s spacious dramming room offering Singleton of Glen Ord 12, 15 and 18 year old single malt whiskies available to enjoy.

There is also a fine selection of whisky and other goods in the centre’s well stocked shop.

With whisky tourism a growing trend in recent years, upwards of 35,000 visitors annually pass through the doors of the visitor centre, which is in line for a major upgrade, including a revampoed entrance.

This will more than double the existing 66 sq.m retail area and create a new 222 sq.m bar to create a new centrepiece for the centre.

In response to the coronavirus crisis. Glen Ord Distillery has introduced a number of precautionary measures for visitors, including temperature checks before entering, limiting visitor numbers on site at any one time, increased cleaning procedures and hand sanitiser stations.

Tour bookings can be made directly with the visitor centre by phoning 01463 872004 or emailing glen.ord@malts.com

Tours run from 10am to 5pm until October and then from 10am to 4pm until March.

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