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Still Life Spring, presented in a frosted Lalique decanter, is one of the bottles recently stolen from the distillery. Credit: The Glenturret
Police are investigating after thieves stole several “high-value” bottles of whisky from The Glenturret Distillery near Crieff, Perthshire. Saturday, marking the third significant theft from a Scottish distillery in recent years.
Security personnel alerted officers to the break-in at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. Thieves stole The Glenturret 25 Years Old, worth £1,400, and Still Life Spring by Lalique, per Police Scotland. The distillery announced its temporary closure on social media citing “unforeseen circumstances” following the incident.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding and continued support,” the distillery stated. “If you had a visit or experience planned for today, our team will be in touch to assist.”
Pattern of High-Profile Whisky Thefts
This incident follows two similar high-value whisky thefts in 2022, establishing a concerning pattern in the Scottish whisky industry.
In January 2022, thieves broke into Glenfarclas distillery near Ballindalloch and stole whisky worth approximately £150,000, including a rare 60-year-old malt. Callum Fraser, Glenfarclas manager, told BBC Scotland thieves targeted specific bottles and completed the theft in just four minutes.
Later that same year, Aberlour Distillery reported a break-in at its visitor shop between December 22 and January 5, a high-value theft of bottles from an unreleased batch.
In December 2024, police in West Yorkshire arrested two men after discovering whisky worth an estimated £70,000 in a lorry near Bradford. According to West Yorkshire Police, the vehicle was stopped using a stinger. Following a “brief pursuit” on the northbound M606 after the driver failed to stop for officers. The lorry, believed to use cloned registration plates, carried Johnny Cree whisky bottles.
Whisky as a Target for Organized Crime
Therefore, the string of Glenturret distillery whisky thefts highlights whisky’s rising status as a valuable commodity and investment asset.
Indeed, rare whiskies have seen price increases, with prestigious distillery bottles selling for thousands at auction and specialized retailers. With the public perception of whisky as a luxury asset now fully entrenched, distilleries are becoming more vulnerable to organized criminal enterprises.
Police Scotland is requesting anyone with information regarding The Glenturret theft to contact them using reference number 0709 of April 12, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
Read the full article at Glenturret Distillery Hit by Thieves as Scotland Faces A Rise In Major Whisky Heists
