Glenlossie distillery

Introduction to Glenlossie

A distillery dedicated to craftsmanship

Glenlossie is a hidden gem in Scotland’s whisky landscape, nestled in the heart of Speyside near Elgin in Morayshire.

Founded in 1876, this distillery has maintained a relatively low profile despite producing exceptional single malt whisky that is highly prized by blenders and connoisseurs alike.

Operating away from the spotlight has allowed Glenlossie to focus on what truly matters – creating distinctive malts with remarkable character and complexity.

Why we have a soft spot for Glenlossie

At Vault of Spirits, we treasure distilleries that maintain their integrity while flying under the radar.

Glenlossie stands out for its meticulous production methods, particularly its longer fermentation times and unique purifier pipes that contribute to a distinctively light and estery spirit.

The distillery’s whisky presents a delicate balance of sweet fruitiness and subtle complexity that showcases the quintessential Speyside character with a distinctive twist.

The History behind Glenlossie

Origin and development

Glenlossie was established in 1876 by John Duff, along with a group of local businessmen including Alexander Edward.

Duff, an experienced distiller who would later found Longmorn and BenRiach, created Glenlossie at a time when the whisky industry was booming following changes to distillation laws.

After changing hands several times, the distillery became part of Distillers Company Limited (DCL) in 1919, which eventually evolved into Diageo, its current owner.

In 1962, Mannochmore distillery was built alongside Glenlossie, creating a unique “twin distillery” setup where they share many facilities while maintaining distinct production identities.

The people behind

Today, Glenlossie operates under Diageo’s expert stewardship, with a small team of dedicated craftspeople maintaining the distillery’s traditional methods while adapting to modern quality standards.

While not as publicly visible as some of its Speyside neighbors, the team’s commitment to quality ensures Glenlossie continues to produce the exceptional malt that makes it an important component in prestigious blends like Haig and Dimple.

The Craft and Production

From raw materials to finished product

Glenlossie’s production begins with quality Scottish barley, which undergoes traditional malting processes off-site.

The distillery is known for its notably long fermentation period of around 60 hours, which helps develop the fruity esters characteristic of its spirit.

Distillation takes place in three pairs of stills equipped with unique purifier pipes that create a reflux effect, resulting in a cleaner, lighter spirit with distinctive grassy and fruity notes.

This technical setup is relatively unusual in Speyside and contributes significantly to Glenlossie’s signature character.

Maturation and aging

The new-make spirit from Glenlossie is primarily aged in ex-bourbon American oak casks, which complement its delicate profile by adding vanilla, honey, and spice notes.

Some expressions also benefit from finishing or aging in European oak sherry casks, adding deeper fruit and nut dimensions to the whisky’s profile.

Maturation typically occurs in traditional dunnage warehouses, where the consistent temperature and humidity of the Scottish climate work their magic on the developing spirit.

Selected Products from Glenlossie

Flora & Fauna 10 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This semi-official bottling is one of the few consistent ways to experience Glenlossie as a single malt.

It presents a delightful introduction to the distillery’s style with notes of fresh grass, green apples, honey, and a distinctive malty sweetness.

The palate offers a wonderfully balanced experience with medium body, showcasing the distillery’s clean, fruity character with a pleasant spicy finish.

Independent Bottlings – A deeper exploration

Independent bottlers often release exceptional casks of Glenlossie, offering enthusiasts rare opportunities to experience this elusive malt in its purest form.

These bottlings frequently feature higher ages and cask strengths, allowing the connoisseur to discover more intense expressions of Glenlossie’s fruity, grassy profile complemented by deeper oak-derived complexity.

Look for releases from respected independent bottlers for a true adventure into what makes Glenlossie special.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

As a working distillery primarily focused on production for blends, Glenlossie is generally not open to the public for regular tours.

However, occasional special arrangements can sometimes be made for dedicated enthusiasts through industry connections or special events.

The private nature of the distillery only adds to its mystique and makes bottles of single malt Glenlossie all the more precious to discover and enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Glenlossie?

Glenlossie is a Speyside single malt whisky distillery located near Elgin in Scotland.

It produces a light, fruity, and delicately complex spirit that is highly valued by blenders and has gained appreciation among single malt enthusiasts for its distinctive character.

Though primarily used in blends like Haig and Dimple, it occasionally appears as single malt through official Flora & Fauna bottlings and independent releases.

Where is Glenlossie located?

The distillery is situated about 3 miles south of Elgin in Morayshire, within Scotland’s renowned Speyside whisky region.

It shares its site with sister distillery Mannochmore, with both operating in an alternating production schedule while maintaining their distinct whisky profiles.

What characterizes Glenlossie whisky?

Glenlossie is known for its clean, light, and fruity character with distinctive grassy notes and subtle complexity.

Its unique production features, particularly the longer fermentation times and purifier pipes on the stills, create a spirit with pronounced esters and a delicate, refined character.

The whisky typically offers notes of green fruits, honey, malt, and subtle spices, with a medium body and excellent balance.

Where can I buy whisky from Glenlossie?

You can find selected bottles from Glenlossie at Vault of Spirits.

We carefully curate both the occasional official bottlings and exceptional independent releases to provide access to this somewhat rare and underappreciated Speyside gem.

Due to its limited availability as a single malt, we particularly value the opportunity to share this special distillery’s expressions with our discerning customers.