The distillery was founded in 1824 and is located in the valley of the river Livet. When George Smith opened the distillery, he applied for a licence right away; something that was just new at the time. Other illegal distillers in the Speyside were unhappy with this, as witnessed by the story of George carrying 2 pistols, which enabled him to defend himself against his angry neighbors. The Glenlivet 12 Y Double Oak has matured in European and American oak. Glenlivet’s whisky is an example of a real Speyside whisky.