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Everything you need to know about Glen Mhor Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Glen Mhor 8 Year Old Scotch Whisky G & M 1980s 75cl£299.99 Inc VAT -
Glen Mhor 15 Year Old Signatory Vintage 1978 5cl£79.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Glen Mhor, Highlands Region, Scotland. Founded in 1892.
A Lost Highland Legend with a Cult Following
Glen Mhor (pronounced ‘Glen Vawr’) might not be producing whisky anymore, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of whisky lovers. This Highland distillery was once a quiet workhorse tucked beside the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. It was founded back in 1892 by John Birnie and Charles Mackinlay — two men with a vision for a distillery that could hold its own in the fast-growing Scotch industry of the time.
What made Glen Mhor stand out wasn’t just its whisky, but its early adoption of modern distilling methods. It was one of the first to use a mash filter instead of the traditional mash tun — ahead of its time, really. The distillery kept running until 1983, when it was closed and sadly demolished a few years later. That makes any remaining Glen Mhor bottles rare, collectible, and very much sought after.
It’s not a whisky you’ll just find on a supermarket shelf — but if you ever spot a dusty bottle, give it a nod of respect. It’s a piece of whisky history.
Flavour Profile:
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 |
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| Fruity | Malty / Cereal | Oaky / Woody |
Glen Mhor was known for its bold Highland character — think malty, slightly nutty, with a dry oaky finish. Some older bottles show a gentle fruitiness layered with toasted cereal notes and subtle spice. It wasn’t overly peaty, but there’s often a touch of earthy depth, especially in older expressions.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Malt / Biscuit / Toast |
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Apple / Pear |
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Oak / Wood Spice |
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Dried Fruits (Raisins, Figs, Dates) |
Notable Bottles from Glen Mhor
Since the distillery closed in the '80s, anything you find today will be from independent bottlers or vintage collections:
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Glen Mhor 1976 (Hart Brothers) – Aged, elegant, with dried fruit and leather notes.
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Glen Mhor 1966 (Cadenhead’s) – Deep, dark, and slightly smoky — rare and rich.
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Glen Mhor 1979 (Signatory Vintage) – Lighter but still full of character. A softer expression from its final years.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Glen Mhor Distillery
Address: Former site near Telford Street, Inverness, Scotland
 Open in maps |
 glenmhorwhisky.com |
 Unavailable |
Visitor Centre
There is no visitor centre. Glen Mhor was closed in 1983 and demolished shortly after. The area where it once stood has been redeveloped, with little trace left of the distillery itself.
Ownership & History
1892 – Founded by John Birnie and Charles Mackinlay
1954 – Became part of DCL (Distillers Company Limited)
1983 – Closed due to oversupply of whisky in the industry
1986 – Site demolished
Glen Mhor was one of many distilleries lost during the whisky industry downturn of the 1980s. But unlike some others, it’s remembered fondly — and collectors still chase its few remaining bottles.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Glen Mhor Distillery was located in Inverness, Scotland, and was founded in 1892 by John Birnie and Charles Mackinlay.
The distillery stood on the banks of the Caledonian Canal and became part of Inverness’s once-important whisky industry alongside Glen Albyn and Millburn.
Glen Mhor operated for nearly a century before closing in 1983 during the major Scotch whisky downturn. The site was later demolished and redeveloped.
Production
- Spirit Type: Single malt Scotch whisky
- Region: Highlands
- Stills: Copper pot stills
- Production Role: Primarily blending component
Glen Mhor was known for experimenting with production methods at various points in its history, including the use of brewer’s yeast strains.
Whisky Style
Glen Mhor whisky is generally described as:
- Medium-bodied
- Malty and slightly waxy
- Citrus and herbal notes
- Gentle smoke in some vintages
- Dry, complex finish
Older bottlings can display distinctive oily and mineral characteristics.
Key Expressions
Official bottlings were historically limited, but surviving releases include:
- Rare Malts Selection Glen Mhor
- Independent bottlings from old casks
- Vintage collector releases
As a closed distillery, all remaining stocks are finite and increasingly rare.
Significance
Glen Mhor is one of the notable lost Highland distilleries, representing the disappearance of Inverness’s traditional whisky-producing landscape during the 1980s closures.
Its surviving whiskies are valued by enthusiasts for their distinctive old-style Highland character and historical importance.
Glen Mhor Whisky to Buy
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