Glenturret debuts gin brand and estate house

Scotland’s oldest working distillery, The Glenturret, will now produce gin under the name The Aberturret and has opened a private residence.

The small-batch London Dry Gin is distilled with 14 botanicals, including coriander, angelica and sumac, and blended with new-make spirit from The Glenturret.

Spirits expert Peter Jauch, who worked on the recipe, said: “Working on the creation of The Aberturret Gin together with the Lalique and The Glenturret teams was pure joy.

“It was important to me to reflect on the rich history of The Glenturret – that’s why we developed a classic gin with a modern twist. You can smell juniper on the nose, surrounded by fresh, earthy notes. On the palate, the juniper impresses with warming notes and ends with a slightly sweet kick of freshness.

“Overall, the gin is very smooth and, at 45% ABV, perfect for all classic gin cocktails.”

The gin is available on the brand’s website for £45 (US$57).

It is named after Aberturret Estate House, formerly the Dower House of the Murray Clan, who founded The Glenturret distillery more than 260 years ago.

The house has undergone an extensive renovation and can now be hired for exclusive use.

Based in rural Perthshire, Aberturret Estate House has six bedrooms and is within walking distance of the two-Michelin-starred The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant at the distillery.

Private catering can also be arranged at the house.

John Laurie, managing director at The Glenturret, said: “Aberturret Estate House is a beautiful and traditional Scottish estate property. It is where we want our guests to relax, gather with friends and family and experience the very best that Scotland has to offer.

“We have been inspired by the historic estate and The Glenturret Distillery, the breathtaking scenery and gardens. In the restoration of the house, we have unlocked forgotten history and connected with our Clan Murray roots.

“It has now been rejuvenated to provide our guests with a comfortable private home and an extraordinary gastronomic experience that respects the seasons and the local terroir.”

The property features both bespoke and antique furniture and artwork from The Fine Arts Society Edinburgh that dates to the 19th century.

Guests can also partake in activities such as archery, fishing and golf.

Prices for exclusive hire start at £3,000 per night.

As well as the two launches, The Glenturret has also announced the appointment of a new managing director, Jennie Baernreuther.

Baernreuther will take on the role from next week (25 March) and joins from Speciality Drinks Group, which includes The Whisky Exchange, Speciality Drinks, Whisky.Auction and London Cocktail Week.

She said: “I am thrilled to be joining The Glenturret as managing director at this exciting stage of the journey.

“John [Laurie, current managing director] and the team have done an amazing job of building the business and brand credentials, with Bob [Dalgarno, whisky maker] and Ian [Renwick, distillery manager] leading the charge on producing whiskies being recognised for their exceptional quality.

“Coupled with an incredible hospitality offering and the addition of Aberturret Estate House, The Glenturret has a unique proposition in the industry that I am confident will deliver strong future growth and prosperity.”

Laurie joined The Glenturret in 2018.

He said: “Managing The Glenturret over the past eight years has been an incredible privilege. Every part of the success achieved by The Glenturret over recent years should be attributed to the incredible team, their passion and dedication to this distillery.

“I am delighted to be handing the reins over to Jennie Baernreuther who is absolutely the right person to support this team to another chapter.”

In 2019, luxury goods company Lalique Group paid £15.5 million (US$20.2m) for a 50% stake in The Glenturret as part of a joint venture with Swiss entrepreneur Hansjörg Wyss.

The Glenturret is not the first Scotch brand to move into hospitality – earlier this month, LVMH-owned Ardbeg announced it was renovating a hotel, while Chivas Brothers opened Linn House in Speyside to the public last year.