Tullibardine Distillery: History, Owner and Visitor Guide
Updated: 4 hours ago
Tullibardine is a Highland single malt distillery in Blackford, Perthshire, built in 1949 on the site of an old brewery. Brewing at Blackford is said to go back to 1488.
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Tullibardine at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | Tullibardine |
Whisky region | Highland, Scotland |
Ownership (October 2026) | Terroirs Distillers, part of Picard Vins & Spiritueux |
History | Modern distillery established in 1949 on a former brewery site. |
Expressions to explore | Tullibardine Sovereign and Tullibardine 18 Year Old |
Visiting / editorial note | Yes. Wikipedia and the official site both say there is a visitor centre. The official site lists guided tours, including a bonded warehouse tour with chocolate… |
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Where is Tullibardine distillery?
In Blackford, Perth and Kinross (postcode PH4 1QG), close to the Ochil Hills. The official site calls the village the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Wikipedia names the Danny Burn as a main water source.
Tullibardine history
ScotchWhisky.com says alcohol has been produced in Blackford for over six centuries. A brewery was working in 1488, when James IV stopped there to buy a barrel of ale after his coronation at Scone. Distilling was tried twice earlier: William and Henry Bannerman opened a first Tullibardine distillery in 1798 that ran for about a year, and Andrew Bannerman tried again in 1814 and ran until 1837.
The modern distillery dates from 1949, when the distillery designer William Delme-Evans bought the former Gleneagles Brewery site and built a new one. ScotchWhisky.com says it was the first distillery built in Scotland since 1900. In 1953 it was bought by the blender Brodie Hepburn, which raised capacity. Invergordon Distillers acquired Brodie Hepburn in 1971, the stills were increased to four in 1973, and Whyte and Mackay bought Invergordon in 1993.
Whyte and Mackay closed the distillery. ScotchWhisky.com says it fell silent in 1994, while Wikipedia gives 1995. In 2003 a consortium led by Michael Beamish and Douglas Ross bought it for a reported 1.1 million pounds and restarted production. ScotchWhisky.com says the new owners found much of the old stock in tired casks and ran an extensive re-casking programme. They sold in 2011 to the French wine and spirits group Picard Vins and Spiritueux.
Who owns Tullibardine?
ScotchWhisky.com lists Terroirs Distillers as current owner since 2011, with Picard Vins and Spiritueux as parent. Wikipedia says Picard created the Terroirs Distillers entity in 2013, so the dates differ slightly between sources.
What is Tullibardine known for?
Under Invergordon, ScotchWhisky.com says Tullibardine was set up to produce a light, nutty malt for buyer-own blends. As a single malt house it has changed its spirit run and wood policy, with many fresh casks. The official site says it is one of a small number of Scottish distilleries where all processes except malting happen on site.
Tullibardine range
The official site organises its whisky into the Signature Range (the newest addition is an 18 year old), the Custodians Collection, the Marquess Collection, limited editions and US exclusives. ScotchWhisky.com dates the first Custodians Collection to 2014 and notes an ale called 1488, made with the Bridge of Allan brewery. Wikipedia mentions an Aged Oak Edition and a Sherry Finish. Bottle strengths were not confirmed from sources, so check the current range on the official site.
Can you visit Tullibardine?
Yes. Wikipedia and the official site both say there is a visitor centre. The official site lists guided tours, including a bonded warehouse tour with chocolate pairing, and a Custodian Club for first access to releases. ScotchWhisky.com says to contact the distillery for opening hours. Check hours and prices before visiting.
Official website
https://www.tullibardine.com/
Sources
Cover image: Wikimedia Commons.
Tullibardine bottle range and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Documented producer expression |
|---|---|---|---|
Tullibardine Sovereign | Check label | Check label | Documented expression; batch and availability vary |
Tullibardine 225 Sauternes Finish | Check label | Check label | Documented expression; batch and availability vary |
Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Finish | Check label | Check label | Documented expression; batch and availability vary |
Tullibardine 500 Sherry Finish | Check label | Check label | Documented expression; batch and availability vary |
Tullibardine 15 Year Old | Check label | Check label | Documented expression; batch and availability vary |
Tullibardine 18 Year Old | Check label | Check label | Documented expression; batch and availability vary |
Producer and release sources document these expressions. Historical bottles may be out of production or unavailable. Bottled sourced or blended whiskey is not always entirely distilled at this site.
Bottle releases and visitor arrangements change over time; see original research and official sources.
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Frequently asked questions about Tullibardine
Where is Tullibardine?
In Blackford, Perthshire.
Who owns it?
Terroirs Distillers, linked to Picard Vins and Spiritueux.
When was it built?
1949, by William Delme-Evans on the Gleneagles Brewery site.
When was it closed?
Whyte and Mackay closed it in 1994 or 1995 depending on the source. It reopened under new owners in 2003.
Where is Tullibardine Distillery?
In Blackford, Perth and Kinross (postcode PH4 1QG), close to the Ochil Hills. The official site calls the village the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.
Sources and latest checks
Whisky Clan has retained the original researched history and source notes above. The comparison table lists documented expressions, not guaranteed current stock. Please check the producer's current bottle labels for strength, cask details and availability.
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Whisky producer and release source: https://www.tullibardine.com/whisky/signature-range
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 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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