Renowned whisky brand The Glenturret has opened a new fine dining experience at their distillery in Crieff, Scotland. The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant is the perfect place in which to enjoy attentive service and gourmet food.
Launch of The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant
Head Chef Mark Donald has worked at some of the best restaurants in the world. These include Noma in Copenhagen, Number One at The Balmoral in Edinburgh and two Michelin star Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles.
With such impressive credentials, the new Glenturret Lalique Restaurant is highly anticipated. We were lucky to visit before the official opening date, to sample the Lalique afternoon tea.
The Glenturret Distillery
The Glenturret is the oldest working distillery in Scotland. Established in 1763, The Glenturret Distillery specializes in single malt Scotch whisky.
With an idyllic setting in a beautiful Scottish valley next to the River Turret in Perthshire, the distillery is a few miles from the town of Crieff. Around one hour’s drive from Glasgow and one and a half hour away from Edinburgh, this is a great foodie destination.
The Glenturret single malt whisky is crafted entirely by hand in small batches. There are regular whisky tastings and daily distillery tours.
On our distillery visit, we learnt how this exceptional whisky is made and saw the last remaining hand operated mash tun in Scotland. We also discovered that The Glenturret had a Guinness World Record Holder, Towser the cat.
This long haired tortoiseshell cat caught almost 29,000 mice and lived until aged 24. Today, there are two resident cats at The Glenturret: Glen and Turret.
The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant
The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant is an exclusive 30 cover space. Featuring Lalique Champs Elysées chandeliers, together with Lalique glass and tableware, there’s a 6 metre long Lalique Whisky Bar.
The Glenturret and Murray clan tartans have been used to great effect on the soft furnishings. Lalique crystal barley motifs adorn oak entry doors.
You can admire a rare Glenturret Provenance Decanter in the display case separating the lounge area from the bar. Inspired by fields of barley, the Lalique crystal decanter is one of a limited edition of 320.
Diners at The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant can enjoy a hospitality experience akin to a luxury hotel, with the bar and lounge areas available to relax in after a meal in the dining room.
The first fine dining restaurant within a distillery, the restaurant has a 420 bin wine list and focuses on seasonal produce, some of which is foraged locally. The menu combines classic French gastronomy with modern Scottish cooking.
Afternoon Tea at The Glenturret Lalique
Served in the stylish LALIQUE Salon, afternoon tea at The Glenturret is a relaxing affair. You can choose a great tea by The Rare Tea Co. or a coffee by Difference Coffee.
Guests can also opt to add Champagne, wine from the vineyards of owner Silvio Denz, a cocktail or mocktail from the Glenturret Lalique restaurant menu. We enjoyed a Sri Lankan Lemongrass herbal infusion and Cloud Tea from India, together with a chilled glass of LALIQUE DEUTZ Champagne NV and a Sencha Tea Sour cocktail. This was a delicious combination of Glenturret 10 year old peat smoked whisky, Sencha Summer fruit tea, lime and red verjus.
Drinks are accompanied by a wonderful trio of savouries: Cock-A-Leekie bun, Mull Cheddar reuben and Smoked salmon on Lowland rye bread. Presented on an elegant display tray, they are prepared fresh each day by the in-house chefs at The Glenturret.
The savouries are followed by cultured buttermilk scones and Glenturret Sherry cask-soaked fruit scones with homemade blackcurrant jam and clotted cream. They are an unusual square shape which makes a nice change.
The pastries are all designed by Kayleigh Turner, who won Pastry Chef of the Year at the Scottish Food & Drink Awards. Kayleigh has previously worked with Head Chef Mark Donald at Number One at The Balmoral.
There’s a tasty Tarte aux Fraises, a moreish Gooseberry and Elderflower Financier and our personal favourite, the Coconut and Cherry Choux Bun.
However, the sweet treats aren’t finished yet, as the finale is a Maracaibo 65% & Malted Barley Gateaux, served tableside from a trolley. This exceptional cake is made from the same grains that are used for The Glenturret whiskies.
At the end of the afternoon tea, you’re presented with a “wee gift” – some lovely homemade jam. What a thoughtful touch!
The Glenturret Experience
When visiting the distillery, you might also like to book an experience such as The Whisky Maker’s Tour. You can sample a selection of four premium Glenturret single malts and create your own blend. This tour also includes a whisky related gift that you can take home, and a voucher for tea or coffee with cake.
The Glenturret Distillery Shop has a wide range of Single Malts, together with some beautiful handcrafted gifts that are locally made.
In addition to The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, there’s also the Glenturret Café for light refreshments.
About Lalique
Since 1888, Lalique has been renowned for its collectable crystal pieces. Founded by René Lalique, this luxurious French brand creates incredible decorative items, jewellery and perfumes.
Each item is crafted by a team of skilled artisans in the Alsace region of France. Creative Director Marc Larminaux works closely with the team to incorporate the latest technologies while retaining traditional craftsmanship.
As the new owners of The Glenturret, Lalique have successfully combined their design expertise with the craftsmanship of the distillery to make an exceptional guest experience.
Managing Director at The Glenturret, John Laurie says, “We are very happy to finally welcome guests again here at the distillery, and cannot wait to welcome guests at the restaurant. The Glenturret has long been home to some of the finest whiskies in the world, and it seems fitting that, with Mark Donald’s help we will now be able to provide visitors with an elevated dining experience that reflects the skill, heritage and Scottish heart that goes into producing such exceptional liquids.”
Reservations for The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant are open on www.theglenturretrestaurant.com.
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