Tucked away in Perthshire you will find one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries. The Glenturret was the first whisky distillery restaurant in the world to have a Michelin star – and now they have two! The distillery also has two resident cats named Glen and Turret who live in the still house so if you are really lucky you might even see them during your tour. The distillery has some of the best tasting glassware I have ever seen at a tour or tasting, but you wouldn’t expect anything less since The Glenturret are owned by the French luxury glassmaker Lalique. Whether you are visiting The Glenturret for the Lalique Restaurant and Michelin star studded cuisine or doing a tour or tasting of the whisky you are sure to have a memorable experience here!
The Glenturret Distillery
I first visited The Glenturret Distillery on the very same day that the restaurant got its first Michelin star. We had no idea the announcements were being made that day. But immediately noticed that the atmosphere was buzzing once we arrived and soon learned the happy news. It was incredible to see the whole team being so proud and excited about their hard work which had been recognised in such an official way.
And as if that wasn’t enough, we also had the pleasure of spotting both distillery cats. The story and link between the distillery and the cats actually goes back quite a long way. This is because a former distillery cat known as ‘Towser the mouser’ who served the distillery between 1963 and 1987 actually has a Guinness World Record. It is the record for most mice caught by a single feline. Towser was calculated to have caught an estimated 28,899 mice throughout her life. She even used to leave the tails of her victims by the distillery managers door to show how efficient she had been. Now she has been immortalised as a statue sitting guard in front of the distillery.
- Address: The Glenturret, The Hosh, Crieff PH7 4HA
- Tours & prices: starting from £20 per person
- Moa’s whisky recommendation: The Glenturret Eclosion or The Glenturret 15 Year Old
Where to stay near The Glenturret Distillery?
The area near the distillery has some of Scotland’s best hotels. Like the renowned The Gleneagles and ex-tennis player Andy Murray’s hotel Cromlix. It is a great part of the country to explore. And there are also plenty of other distilleries nearby like the charming Aberfeldy which is located by the small town of the same name.
- The Gleneagles – from £495 per night
- Cromlix – from £445 per night
- Cairn Lodge – from £180 per night
- Upper Lochlane Self-Catered Villa – from £485 per night
♥ Want to visit two fantastic whisky distilleries in one day and also see one of Scotland’s prettiest areas: Perthshire? Book the Ultimate Whisky Experience which includes a visit to both The Glenturret and Aberfeldy in a day trip departing from and returning to Edinburgh’s city centre.
The Glenturret Distillery Whisky Tour
For those wishing to see and learn more about the whisky production at The Glenturret Distillery, this tour is a great experience. Let your guide walk you through the production areas in around an hour. Keep an eye out for Glen and Turret’s little special entrance on the way. Perhaps you even manage to spot them sneaking around the grounds or hiding in the still room where it’s warm and cosy. As part of the tour you also enjoy a tasting at the end of two drams from the annual core whisky range. However, if you wish to do a more in depth tasting you can also add on a whisky flight.
- Price: £20/pp
- Duration: 60 minutes
distillery cats Glen & Turret.
Whisky Makers Experience
The Whisky Makers Experience at The Glenturret is a perfect activity for those who are curious about the art of blending whisky. Personally I don’t think it’s until you have tried blending your own whisky that you realise how difficult it is to get the balance right. If you are a whisky enthusiast this is the perfect way to get a further understanding and respect for the master blenders and blending teams. As part of the experience you get to try various samples that you will use to create your very own single malt.
And yes you read that correctly – even though you are blending components together it will still be a single malt since all the whiskies you are using are single malts from the same distillery. Simply put: blending single malts together from the same distillery makes the final product still a single malt since the term in a simplified explanation means single = from one single distillery and malt = made from malted barley and double distilled in a pot still. Even single malt distilleries need blenders since they can take hundreds and thousands of casks to be blended together for their most popular core release whiskies. To make it a blended whisky you would need to add grain whisky which is a different type of whisky – and if you used single malt from another distillery it would make it a blended malt.
You also get to take a little bottle of your creation home with you. And also write your very own label for it. Which really makes it such a special whisky to either keep as a souvenir or give away to someone special.
- Price: £125/pp
- Duration: 120 minutes
The Glenturret Distillery Lalique Restaurant: Two Michelin Stars
The Lalique restaurant earned its first Michelin star just seven months after opening. Initially receiving the accolade in July 2021. In February 2024, the restaurant secured a second Michelin star and has retained both stars ever since. Mark Donald is the Executive Chef of the restaurant. The tasting menu is inspired by the distillery and its surrounding landscape, changing seasonally. The menu is available Wednesday to Saturday and prices start at £220 per guest. Reservations are essential and there is a waitlist available.
On my most recent visit we enjoyed a cocktail at the bar along with some bar snacks from the new menu, which was all delicious. I particularly recommend the olives, wagyu tartare with olive brine jelly and malted barley gâteau. In the Lalique Bar you can order small dishes from the bar menu as well as drinks. Or enjoy a tutored whisky flight.
I definitely want to come back and book in for a lunch or dinner experience to properly experience the restaurant someday soon. As soon as I have managed a culinary visit, I will report back with a full review!
FAQ – The Glenturret Distillery
The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant requires advance reservations for all dining experiences.
The Glenturret is located right outside the town of Crieff in Perthshire.
The Aberturret Estate House is available for private use hire. For a more immersive visit, guests can book the Gastronomic Overnight Stay, which combines the accommodation as well as dinner.
Yes, you can visit the shop without booking a tour.
Yes there is a car park for guests right outside the distillery.
Explore more whisky experiences in Scotland
- The Best Whisky Distilleries in Scotland: From Historic Icons to Hidden Gems
- Where to go for a whisky tasting in Edinburgh: Scotch whisky tours & distilleries
- A whisky writers guide to Speyside in Scotland
- Isle of Islay in Scotland: A guide to visiting the whisky island
- Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery: tours, tastings and blending masterclasses
- Sip Seekers: Discovering whisky experiences and the beautiful Bolfracks House
- Glencadam Distillery: tours and tastings at scotch whisky’s hidden gem
Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
