The Glenlivet - 13 yrs - France Exclusive

George Smith, a man who produced illicit whisky until the Excise Act 1823 was initiated. Once the legislation passed, Smith became the first person in Glenlivet, Scotland to apply for and be granted a license allowing him to legally set up shop. Within a year, he opened The Glenlivet Distillery in Upper Drumin with his youngest son, John Gordon Smith.

Business was booming, so they opened another distillery. Realising the growth of the company they began building one large distillery that could cope with large volumes of production in Minmore. By 1859, production began at the new distillery, and the name of the company was changed to George & J.G. Smith, Ltd.

Although not much has changed over the years with respect to its production process, the company has passed through hands of a number of parent companies before being acquired from Seagrams by Pernod Ricard and Diageo. As part of that acquisition, The Glenlivet was separated from its longtime subsidiary Glen Grant Distillers and made a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pernod Ricard with Glen Grant being further sold to the Campari Group in 2005.The Glenlivet, roughly translated from Gaelic means ‘Valley of the Livet’. It is most notable for its exceptionally smooth taste and finish and is commonly regarded as a perfect dram for the novice drinker.

Speyside is a region in Scotland that is renowned for producing some of the finest whiskies in the world. The region is located in the northeast of Scotland, and is home to over 50 distilleries, making it the largest whisky producing region in Scotland. Speyside whiskies are known for their smoothness, complexity, and rich, fruity flavors.

The history of whisky production in Speyside dates back to the 18th century, when illicit distilleries were common in the area. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that legal distilleries began to emerge, and the region became known for its high-quality whiskies. Today, Speyside is home to some of the most famous whisky brands in the world, including Glenfiddich, Macallan, and Glenlivet.

The style of production in Speyside is characterized by the use of traditional methods, such as copper pot stills and oak casks for maturation. The region is also known for its use of local ingredients, such as barley and water from the River Spey, which is said to give Speyside whiskies their unique flavor profile.

Speyside whiskies can be divided into two main categories: single malts and blends. Single malts are made from 100% malted barley and are produced by a single distillery. They are known for their complexity and depth of flavor. Blended whiskies, on the other hand, are made by blending together whiskies from different distilleries. They are known for their consistency and balance.

Overall, Speyside is a must-visit destination for whisky lovers, offering a rich history, traditional production methods, and some of the finest whiskies in the world.