Police are investigating after several “high-value” bottles of whisky were stolen from The Glenturret Distillery near Crieff, Perthshire on Saturday in what marks the third significant theft from a Scottish distillery in recent years.
Officers were alerted to the break-in at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. Among the stolen items was The Glenturret 25 Years Old, which retails for £1,400 ($1,750), and a bottle of Still Life Spring by Lalique, according to Police Scotland.
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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, Glenfarclas distillery near Ballindalloch suffered a break-in where whisky worth approximately £150,000 was stolen, including a rare 60-year-old malt. Callum Fraser, Glenfarclas production manager, told BBC Scotland that the thieves “obviously knew exactly what they were looking for” 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 whisky worth an estimated £70,000 was found 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 be using cloned registration plates, was carrying Johnny Cree whisky bottles.
Whisky as a Target for Organized Crime
The string of thefts highlights whisky’s rising status as a valuable commodity and investment asset.
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Rare and limited-edition whiskies have seen dramatic price increases in recent years, with bottles from prestigious distilleries often selling for thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds at auction and through 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.
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