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Glendronach

SCOTCH SINGLE MALT WHISKIES > G
THE GLENDRONACH
12  years old
43 %          
Wm. Teacher & Sons, Ltd, Glasgow

THE GLENDRONACH
12 years old
43 %
LAST  BOTTLE  AND  EMPTY
       
MATURED IN SHERRY CASKS
The Glendronach Distillery Co, Limited
Forgue by Huntly, Aberdeenshire

THE GLENDRONACH   
12  years old
43 %        
TRADITIONAL
Matured  in
Seasoned Oak and Sherry Casks
The Glendronach Distillery Co, Limited
Forgue by Huntly, Aberdeenshire

THE GLENDRONACH   
15  years old
40 %           
100 % MATURED IN SHERRY CASKS
The Glendronach Distillery Co, Limited
Forgue by Huntly, Aberdeenshire

THE GLENDRONACH   
18  years old
43 %            
Distilled: 1976
Bottled: 1994
Matured in
Seasoned Oak and Sherry Casks
The Glendronach Distillery Co, Limited
Forgue by Huntly, Aberdeenshire

GLENDRONACH
9 years old
59 %           
VINTAGE 1987
Matured in a Sherry Butt
Distilled 29.5.87
Bottled 11.3.97
Butt No. 61
660 bottles
Signatory Vintage
Scotch Whisky Co, Ltd, Edinburgh

GLENDRONACH   
9 years old
43 %          
VINTAGE 1987
Matured in a Sherry Butt
Bottled 15.2.97
Distilled 29.5.87
Cask No. 58
880 bottles
Signatory Vintage
Scotch Whisky Co, Ltd, Edinburgh

GLENDRONACH  
13 years old
46 %           
Distilled: 1990
Bottled: 2003
Cask Ref: MM 579
Cask Type: Bourbon
Not Chill Filtered
Not Coloured
Ideal Drinking Strenght
Rigorously Selected
'Clachan A Choin
Murray McDavid Ltd,
Glasgow and London

GLENDRONACH       
Aged  33 years  
51,4 %   
1 9 7 5                                                       
THREE  GENERATIONS
distilled in 1975 by ALBERT SHAND
Distiller and Glendronach Manager
filled into the cask by EUAN SHAND
who also coopered the cask and
finally bottled in 2008 by ANDREW SHAND
Euan's son
The Shand Family have had links with Glendronach since the inauguration of the       
distillery in 1826 and never more so than in the last 50 years.

THE  GLENDRONACH          
Aged 12 year  
43 %                                
ORIGINAL
HIGHLAND  SINGLE  MALT
SCOTCH  WHISKY
Matured in a Combination of the Finest
Pedro Ximinez and Oloroso Sherry Casks
Non Chill Filtered
Natural Colour
The Glendronach Distillery Co, Limited
Forge by Huntly, Aberdeenshire

Colour: Deep amber –red gold
Nose: Sweet, creamy, vanilla, with hints of ginger. Autumn fruits
Palate: Rich, creamy, silky – smooth. Warm, rich oak and sherry, sweetness
full mouth feel, raisins, soft fruits. Spicy with medium length and a dry
finish
Finish: Long, full and firm, slightly nutty
Master Distiller Billy Walker

THE  GLENDRONACH        
Aged 15 years  
46 %                  
REVIVAL
HIGHLAND  SINGLE  MALT
SCOTCH  WHISKY
Exlusively Matured in the finest Spanish
Oloroso Sherry Casks
Non Chill Filtered
Natural Colour
The Glendronach Distillery Co Limited,
Forgue by Huntly, Aberdeenshire
 Colour: Deep gold with lovely mahogany heart
 Nose: Incredible concentration of aromas. Treacle toffee and chocolate orange.
 nutty notes and vanilla
 Palate: A very dynamic and full bodied dram. Chewy with coffee, chocolate and   
 treacle scones
 Finish: A veritable feast to enliven the senses
 Billy Walker, Master Distiller

THE  GLENDRONACH       
Aged 18 years
46 %                
ALLARDICE
HIGHLAND  SINGLE  MALT
SCOTCH  WHISKY
Exclusively Matured in the Finest
Spanish Oloroso Sherry Casks
Date Bottled April 09
Lot 1
6600 Numbered Bottles
Non Chill Filtered
Natural Colour
The Glendronach Distillery Co, Limited,
Forgue by Huntly, Aberdeenshire

Colour: Bright deep gold with a tawny centre
Nose: Lovely and sweet. Fufge, fruit compote and glacier morello cherries. Fabu-
lous complexity
Palate: Remarkable flavours of stewed fruits and all – spice, aged Oloroso and toas-
ted walnut bread combined with chocolate orange
Finish: Tremendously complex and long
Billy Walker Master Distiller

THE GLENDRONACH  
Aged 38 Years  
49.4 %
1 9 7 1
HIGHLAND  SINGLE  MALT
SCOTCH  WHISKY   
Date Distilled  25/02/1971
SINGLE  CASK
Cask type OLOROSO  BUTT
Cask Number 483
Date Bottled 07/2009
544 Numbered Bottles, numbered by hand
The Glendronach Distillery Co, Limited,
Forgue by Huntly, Aberdeenshire

James Allardice 1780 – 1849
Inventor, Pioner, Entrepreneur. Founder of The Glendronach Distillery

Founded in 1826 by James Allardice, Glendronach was one of the very first licensed
Distilleries. Allardice was a colourful character and stories abound as to how he
promoted his whisky with entrepreneurial flair. He was also a pioneer of wood
finishing and would have celebrated today’s superb Glen Dronach. Matured in the
finest casks the Glen Dronach is a perfectly balanced, smooth, creamy, full – bodied
single malt Scotch whisky

Each year our Master Distiller, Billy Walker, specially selects a handful of individual
casks from the warehouses at Glemdronach Distillery, to be bottled as GlenDronach
‘Limited Release’.

With maturing whiskies dating back as far as 1968, there is a vast selection of barrels,
hogsheads, puncheons and butts to choose from.

Each of these casks displays truly remarkable characteristics, the malt whisky contained
within having developed exceptionally during the long maturation process

Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sultanas, raisins,cinnamon and dark chocolate
Appearance: Rich sherry mahogany
Palate: Rich coffee and chocolate with figs, sultanas and strong sherry notes   

THE  GLENDRONACH     
Aged  14 years
46 %                          
VIRGIN  OAK  FINISH

HIGHLAND  SINGLE  MALT
SCOTCH  WHISKY
Finished in The Finest
American Virgin Oak Casks
Distilled, Matured and Bottled by
The Proprietors
The Glendronach Distillery Limited
Licensed since 1826
Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
This unique expression was initially matured in re – charred puncheons and there-
casks, which have given the final whisky its own range of unique flavours and aromas.

Appearance: Light gold, freshly harvested straw
Nose: Toasted oak elements which are so intense that smoky attributes emerge. Sweet
and lush tropical fruits  rise with prominence. Banana and cacao, with roasted coconuts.
Palate: Spiced ginger and cinnamon cake with a beautiful smoky twist. Creamed desiccated
coconut, hazelnuts and fresh buttered toast.
Finish: A glorious nut feast with superb depth.
Billy Walker Master Distiller
                                                               
THE  GLENDRONACH  Since 1826
CASK  STRENGHT   
55,2 %                                
BATCH  2
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Matured in a Combination of the
Finest Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez
Sherry Casks
Bottled at Cask Strenght
Non Chill Filtered
Natural Colour
Dstilled, Matured and Bottled by
The Proprietors
The Glendronach Distillery Co, Ltd,
Forgue by Huntly, Aberdeenshire
JAMES  ALLARDICE  1780 – 1849
Inventor, Pioneer, Enterpreneur
Founder of The Glendronach Distillery

Appearance: Rich golden amber with a
crimson heart.
Nose: Wonderful rich aromas of honey
Drenched raisins and sultanas.
Candied ginger and orange peel are spiced
with a beautifully delicate back note of
warm oak.
Palate: A perfectly balanced traditional
sherried character. An explosion of cho-
colate coated raisins and zest of orange,
mellowed with sweet  warm oak spices,
hints of soft toffee and gentle sugared
almonds.
Finish: A uniquely balanced classic finish.
Billy Walker, Master Distiller

THE  GLENDRONACH      
Aged  10  years old  
55,3 %          
SINGLE  CASK
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distilled  2 0 0 2
Specially selected during
The Usquebach Society
Whisky Trip March 6th 2013
Date distilled 19/07/2002
Fresh Virgin Oak Hogshead
Cask Number 1743
312 Numbered Bottles
The GlenDronach Distillery Co, Ltd
Forgue by Huntly, Aberdeenshire

The GlenDronach was chosen in a momentous time in the history of the Usquebach Society.
Twenty eight members made the pilgrimage to one of the most scenic distilleries in Scotland, to adore eight of the highest quality samples of the finest nectar GlenDronach has to offer.

The angels guided us to thid Virgin Oak expression which is as fresh as a woman just out of the shower, as multi – layered as a brilliant musician and with the depth of an accomplished
novelist.

This GlenDronach has a story, listen to it, take it in, and enjoy.

Tasting Notes:
Nose: Butter shortbread and sweet oak spices combine perfectly with golden syrup over fresh fruit salad.
Appearance: Rich harvest gold
Palate: A vibrant burst of toasted oak floods over sour Morello cherries aand gooseberries.
A gentle herbal back note completes the complex balance of flavours.

THE  GLENDRONACH
LAST  BOTTLE  AND  EMPTY
Aged 8 years
43 %                           
Fine Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distilled and Bottled
in Scotland
Bourbon & Sherry Cask
Special Bottling for
Whisky Manufaktur
Since 2000
Limited Edition
Non Chill Filtered
Natural Colour
Whisky Manufaktur, Berlin

THE  GLENDRONACH
Licensed since 1826
8 years old  
46 %                                        
THE  HIELAN
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Matured and Married in a
combination of the finest
Bourbon & Sherry Casks
Non Chill Filtered
Natural Colour
Distilled, Matured and Bottled by
The Proprietors
The Glendronach Distillery Limited
Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire

Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Amber with a burnished copper glow
Nose: Rounded waves of orange blossom and citrus twist flow over buttery
golden sultanas, sundried raisins and ripe yellow plums all dusted with
a touch of vanilla
Palate: Crisp, vibrant oak spices warm soaked sultanas, apricot jam and
gingerbread, all rounded by delicate hints of butterscotch, cocos and toasted
almonds.
Finish: Classic sherry overtones with a contrasting crisp dimension demonstrate
the complexity of the traditional Highland character.
Billy Walker Master Distiller.

GLENDRONACH
Age 9 years
58.3 %                                   
SINGLE  MALT  SCOTCH  WHISKY
FROM  A  SINGLE  CASK                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Date Distilled: 8th  June 2006
Cask Type: Refill Barrel / ex Bourbon
Outturn: One of Only 172 Bottles
Society Single Cask: Code:  9 6 . 8
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society,
The Vaults, Leith, Edinburgh
Sweet, Fruity & Mellow
"Relaxing in an Alpine meadow"
 
We, the Tasting Panel, verify that the Scotch Malt Whisky inside this bottle has been
passed under some of the most scrupulous noses in the world and approved for re-
lease as a Society bottling.

Only single cask whiskies that promise to intrigue, entertain and delight our members
are selected, true to our motto: “TO  LEAVE  NO  NOSE UPTURNED “.

The nose is atractively buttery – lemon puffs, croissants, meringues and vanilla: fresh
laundry in summer meadows and light herbal notes. The palate is bathed in honey,
with crisp white wine, camomile, mint dried raspberry and mojitos, spicy heat at full                         
strenght.

The nose was attractive, buttery, light and smmery – lemon puff biscuits, croissants,
honey, merinque, strawberry, vanilla, flower meadows and fresh laundry – plus
medicinal, herbal hints of Covonia and Jaegermeister.

The palate was bathed in honey, which, with some camomile, mint and crisp white
wine notes suggested mojitos,

Ar natural strenght the palate also displayed muscular heat (woody spices and Extra
Strong Mints).

The reduced nose took us to summer Alpine meadows where we relaxed, making
daisy chains and sipping home – made lemonade.

The palate was now much more easy – drinking – barley sweetness, dried raspberries
In cereal and light liquorice on the finish.

THE  GLENDRONACH
Aged  33 years
40 %                                                         
Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky                                                         
Matured only in The Finest                                                         
Olorosos Sherry Casks                                                        
Limited Edition                                                         
Numbered Bottles                                                         
The GlenDronach Distillery,                                                        
Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire

Produced by Allied Distillers Ltd, Kilmalid, Stirling Road, Dumbarton.
Pernod,  Avenue du Marechal Foch, Creteil,  Cedex.
Robert Hicks, Master Blender.

             

Speyside
THE GLENDRONACH

OLOROSO SHERRY, RICH, DRIED FRUIT

Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Licentiehouder: Wm. Teacher & Sons Ltd. Werkmaatschappij van Caledonian Malt Whisky Distillers Ltd. Onderdeel van Allied Distillers Ltd. De wijnen drankdivisie van Hiram Walker Ltd. Eigendom van Allied Lyons Plc.

Gesticht in 1826 door James Allardyce, samen met een syndikaat van lokale zakenmensen. Het was één van de eerste legale distilleerderijen in de Hooglanden. De naam komt van de nabij gelegen Dronac Burn.
Door wanbeheer, gevolgd door een grote brand in 1837, eindigde het beheer van James Allardyce.

Walter Scott, een ervaren distillateur, die het vak had geleerd te Teaninich, werd de volgende eigenaar. Hij was heel succesvol, en welvarend.

In 1920 werd The Glendronach verkocht aan Captain Charles Grant, de vijfde zoon van William Grant van Glenfiddich.
De familie Grant bleef 40 jaar eigenaar van The Glendronach tot in 1960 George Grey Grant de distilleerderij verkocht aan Wm. Teacher & Sons Ltd.

Gedurende de jaren 1966 - 1967 werd de distilleerderij verbouwd en de kapaciteit verdubbeld.

Wm. Teachers & Sons Ltd werd in 1976 overgenomen door Allied Brewers. In 1981 werd Allied Brewers deel van Allied - Lyons.
In 1987 werd het Canadese concern Hiram Walker - Gooderham & Worts overgenomen nadat al eerder de helft van het aandelenkapitaal in hun bezit was.

Een poging om The Distillers Company Ltd over te nemen mislukte.

Allied Distillers kocht in 1990 de drankendivisie van Whitbread, ook een bierbrouwer, en kreeg toen The Tormore en Laphroaig in zijn bezit, met de merken Long John en Black Bottle.
Met de fusie met Domecq kwam ook Lochside bij de groep.

Glendronach is Keltisch voor dal van de bramen en ligt vlakbij een roekenkolonie.
Glendronach werd in 1995 (tijdelijk) gesloten.
De vier ketels worden met kolen gestookt. Het proceswater komt van de Source Burn, het koelwater van de Dronach Burn.
Ongeveer 15 % wordt door Glendronach zelf gemout. De gerst komt van boeren in de omgeving.
Op 1 Mei 2002 wordt Glendronach weer opgestart, men gaat 270.000 liter spirit produceren dit jaar, volgend jaar 1.000.000 liter.

De mouterij blijft gesloten.

De Mash tun is 3.72 ton. De Wash backs, negen stuks, hebben elk een inhoud van 18.125 liter.
De twee Wash stills hebben elk een inhoud van 13.635 liter, de twee Spirit stills elk 6800 liter.
De capaciteit was 900.000 liter.

In Mei 2001, na een periode van zes jaar, wordt Glendronach opgestart door Paul Porter -Smith, de managing - director van Allied Distillers Ltd.
Tot eind December 2001 werd er 270.000 liter spirit geproduceerd te Glendronach, het is de bedoeling dat in 2002 ëën miljoen liter alcohol wordt geproduceerd.
Het laatste jaar voor zijn sluiting in 1996 werd er 300.000 liter spirit geproduceerd. De nieuwe spirit wordt nu gelagerd in first - fill American bourbon casks.

Februari 2003
Dumbarton Distillery sluit. Het komplex waar ook het hoofdkantoor van Allied was gevestigd, hergde ook de Dumbarton Grain distilleerderij, en ook werden de malt whiskies Lomond, waarvan slechts één botteling bekend is, uitgebracht door de Scotch Malt.Whisky Society, The Vaults, Leith, Edinburgh onder code nummer 98.1, en Inverleven.
De capaciteit van de Grain distilleerderij Strathclyde wordt vergroot tot 39 miljoen liter spirit per jaar, dat was 32 miljoen liter.
Het hoofdkantoor wordt gevestigd te Kilmalid.
Het enorme gebouwencomplex is verkocht aan twee projectontwikkelaars.

2005   The distillery sluit een half jaar, om de ketels om te bouwen van kolen gestookte tot indirect met stoom gestookte ketels. De distilleerderij wordt in September weer opgestart
   
Chivas Brothers onderdeel van Pernod Ricard, wordt de nieuwe eigenaar door de overname van Allied Domecq

2008   September ongeveer 4 jaar nadat Billy Walker, samen met twee Zuid - Afrikaanse compagnons Geoff Bell en Wayne Kiesewetter Ben Riach hebben overgenomen wordt nu Glendronach gekocht
Nu worden er van Glendronach alleen een 12- en 33 jaar oude whisky uitgebracht

De voorraad van Glendronach zou van heel hoge kwaliteit zijn, vooral oudere whiskies gelagerd op sherry vaten, alleen de whisky van de laatste jaren zijn gerijpt op Bourbon vaten

1826            
Founded by a consortium led by
James Allardice
1837            
The major part of the distillery is
destroyed in a fire
1852            
Walter Scott from Teaninich takes over
1887            
Walter Scott dies and the distillery
is taken over by a consortium from Leith
1920           
Charles Grant, son of the founder of
Glenfiddich Distillery, buys Glendronach   
for 9.000 Pounds and production starts 3
months later        
1960           
William teacher & Sons buys Glendronach
1966 - 1967                
The number of stills is increased from two
to four
1976          
A visitor centre is opened
1976          
Allied Breweries takes over William Teacher
& Sons
1991          
Glendronach is one of a selected few in
Caledonian Malts by Allied Distillers
1996          
Glendronach is mothballed
2002          
Production starts on 14th May
2005          
Glendronach 33 years old is launched
and the distillery closes for six months
to  rebuild  from coal to indirect firing by
steam and reopens in September Chivas
Brothers, Pernod Ricard becomes new owner
through the acquisition of Allied Domecq                         
2008          
Pernod Ricard sells Glendronach to owners
of Ben Riach, headed by Billy Walker, for
15.000.000 Pounds
2009
Relaunch 12,15,18 year old
2010
A 31 year old, a 1966 SC and 11 Vintages
a Visitor Centre and four Wood Finishes
released
2011
The 21 year old Parliament and 11 Vntages
are released
2012
Several Vintages are released
2013
A 44 year old releases and again a number
of Vintages
2014
Nine SC are released
2015
The Hielan 8 years old released
2016
Brown Forman buys Glendronach
Peated Glendronach released
Octaves is released
2017
Several SC are relased
2018
Two bottlings for duty free released:
10 year old Forgue, 16 year old Boysmill
2019
A Port Wood Finish released,  18 of the Cask Bottlings are releasedPeated,
Match
2020
Capacity 2,000.000  Ltrs / Output 2000.000 Ltrs
Ltrs
2021
Cask Strenght batch 9 is released
2022
A 50 year old released
        
Although known for maturing predominantly in
sherry casks since reopening in 2002 the whole
production has been filled in bourbon casks

James  Allardice (1780 - 1849)
Inventor,  Pioneer, Entrepreneur,
Founder of The Glendronach Distillery
Founded in 1826 by James Allardice
Glen Dronach was one of the very first
licensed distilleries
Allardice was a colourful character and
stories abound as to how he promoted
his whisky with entrepreneurial flair.
He was also a pioneer of wood finishing
and would have celebrated today's superb
Glen Dronach

Matured in a combination of the best
Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks -
the Glen Dronach is a perfectly balanced,
smooth, creamy full - bodied single malt
Scotch whisky

The GlenDronach distillery in the Forgue valley
in Aberdeenshire is named after the source of its
water; the Dronach burn

It has a history of enterprising owners from the
flamboyant James Allardice to the ambitious
Walter Scott. Although times have moved on the
process used to create the GlenDronachhave
remained largely unchanged.

Today's malt is created using great Oregon pine
washbacks and the same shaped still used in 1826

October 2009
There is an investment in sherry cask of 5.000.000
Pounds in the next 4 or 5 years and an investment
of 2.000.000 in brand promotion

In 2008 20.000 bottles of Glendronach were sold,
2009 150.000.

The new owners of Glendronach have selected five
Vintages for their first series of single cask bottlings

All five in the traditional Glendronach style: richly
sherried, from Oloroso Butts.

Each will bottled at cask strength, natural colour,
no chill filtered and bottles are individually numbered
by hand and will be housed in a de luxe gift box

The full cask list in 2009 is:

1971     cask  483   38 years old
1972     cask  719   37 years old
1992     cask 1140  16 years old
1993     cask   523  16 years old
1996     cask   193  13 years old


The GlenDronach was chosen in a momentous
time in the history of the Usquebach Society.
Twenty eight members made the pilgrimage
to one of the most scenic distilleries in Scotland,
to adore eight of the highest quality samples of
the finest nectar GlenDronach has to offer.

The angels guided us to thid Virgin Oak expression
which is as fresh as a woman just out of the shower,
as multi - layered as a brilliant musician and with
the depth of an accomplishednovelist.

This GlenDronach has a story, listen to it, take it in,
and enjoy.

From its hillside home in the Scottish Highlands,
The GlenDronach Distillery has been creating the
finest richly sherried single malts for nearly 200 years.

In 1826 the exuberant and extroverted James
Allardice founded the distillery and produced his
‘Guid GlenDronach’ single malt. Down the years,
the distillery he created has thrived under the
stewardship of far-sighted investors like
Walter Scott in 1847 and Captain Charles Grant in
1920. In more recent times, GlenDronach was
bought in 1960 by William Teacher & Sons.
Originally, all of the workers at GlenDronach lived
on site, including the distillery manager, staff,
excise man, brewer and all of their families.
To this day many of the old houses still remain.
The most famous of them all is Glen House, which
was built in 1771. Home to many of the distillery’s
managers, the grand Georgian building could
probably tell a tale or two. Rumour has it; the front
room is haunted by a Spanish lady, who travelled
over to Scotland in a sherry cask. Apparently she is
quite partial to the odd tipple now and then. In 1968,
GlenDronach was released as a single malt brand
for the first time and the brand’s reputation grew
from strength to strength. In 2008, nothing less than
a complete renaissance began. The BenRiach Distillery
Company became GlenDronach’s proud new owner.
While time can never stand still, the commitment of
the team at GlenDronach will ensure that the distinctive
practices that have always defined the distillery will live
on – the most influential of these, its return to independent
ownership.

GLEN HOUSE
Originally, all of the workers at GlenDronach lived on site,
including the distillery manager, staff, excise man, brewer
and all of their families.To this day many of the old houses
still remain.

The most famous of them all is Glen House, which was built
in 1771. Home to many of the distillery’s managers, the
grand Georgian building could probably tell a tale or two.
Rumour has it; the front room is haunted by a Spanish lady,
who travelled over to Scotland in a sherry cask.
Apparently she is quite partial to the odd tipple now and then.
Today, Glen House is used for corporate entertainment and
is enjoyed by guests from around the world.

1771
GLEN HOUSE WAS BUILT
The house was originally called Boynsmill
and was renamed by James Allardice when the
distillery was built in 1826.
1826
The Distillery was Founded
The GlenDronach Distillery was one
of the first licensed distilleries in Scotland.
1830
Bought Over
The distillery was bought over by
Walter Scott (From Teaninich).
1860
The Largest
GlenDronach was the largest duty
paying distillery in the Scottish Highlands.
Over 50 people lived on site at this time,
including all of the workers and their families.
1920
Captain Charles Grant
Captain Charles Grant bought over the distillery.
Charles was the son of the founder of the
Glenfiddich Distillery
1960
William Teacher & Sons
The distillery was bought over by William Teacher
& Sons.
Teacher's expanded the number of stills at
GlenDronach from two to four.
1996
GlenDronach was mothballed
The distillery was mothballed for a number
of years by its owners Allied Distillers.
2002
Distillery re Opened
GlenDronach was once again in full production.
2005
Chivas Brothers take over
Allied Distillers was taken over by Pernod Ricard
and the distillery was passed to Chivas Brothers.
2005
GlenDronach converts to steam heating
The distillery was one of the last to heat the stills
by coal fire.
2008
GlenDronach was taken over by the BenRiach
Distillery Company Ltd.
2015
Global Whisky Distiller of the Year
The BenRiach Distillery Company was named
Global Whisky Distiller of the Year at the 2015
Icons of Whisky Awards. A fantastic achievement
for a small privately-owned independent company
to win this prestigious global award.

Inside are a traditional rake and plough mash tun,
wooden washbacks and four stills which were coal
fired until 2005, the last in Scotland to be heated in
this way.
Today there is just a quiet susurration of steam in
the stillhouse, but the oddly shaped wash still and
the plain sides of the spirit still cut back on reflux,
helping to build weight in the spirit.

These days, ex-Sherry casks are the distillery’s signature
style. Some is 100% Sherry matured, some is started in
ex-Bourbon casks to pick up vanilla sweetness before
being racked into ex-Sherry.

One of a trio of distilleries in the Garioch, Glendronach was
founded in 1826 by a partnership of local farmers headed
by James Allardice. Under his charismatic lead, it built a
strong reputation (it was on sale in London soon after its
foundation) but tragedy struck in 1837 when a fire virtually
destroyed the distillery. The bad news continued when
Allardice went bankrupt in 1842.

His promotional activities had however stood the whisky
in good stead. Seeing its potential, Walter Scott (not the author)
came forward in 1852, and rebuilt the distillery into its current
condition. Its next most significant owner arrived in 1920,
when Capt. Charles Grant, the youngest son of William Grant of
Glenfiddich, bought it. It remained with the family for 40 years
when it was sold to Wm Teacher & Sons. who added a second
pair of stills in 1967.

It passed into the orbit of Allied Distillers in 1976, when that firm
purchased the Teacher’s estate. In 1991, it was released as two
12-year-old expressions – one aged in ex-Bourbon, one in ex-
Sherry – a real innovation for the time, but the brand never
received any serious backing. Placed in mothballs between 1996
and 2002, it ended up with Pernod Ricard which sold it in 2008 to
The BenRiach Distilling Co.

Since then, a new visitor’s centre has been opened and a new
range of single malts has been released. It is fast becoming a
favourite with Sherried malt lovers globally and has built a
considerable following in Taiwan.

Glendronach was purchased by Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey
producer Brown-Forman in 2016 along with its acquisition of
The BenRiach Distillery Company.

1826
The distillery is founded by the
Glendronach Distillery Co,
a partnership of local farmers
headed by James Allardice
1837
Fire strikes the building, virtually
destroying it
1842
The company goes into administration
1852
Ex-Teaninich manager Walter Scott
purchases
Glendronach and rebuilds the distillery
1887
The distillery is purchased by a
partnership from Leith
1916
Glendronach is bought by the Crown
1920
Having remained silent under government
ownership,
Glendronach is purchased by
Captain Charles Grant
and is reopened
1960
Glendronach, having remained in
Grant family ownership
for 40 years, is sold to William Teachers
& Sons
1966
Two additional stills are installed, bringing
Glendronach
up to four
1976
Teachers becomes part of Allied Distillers
1991
A pair of Glendronach 12-year-olds are
released
1996
The distillery is mothballed
2002
Production resumes
2005
Glendronach switches from coal fire
heating to steam,
becoming the last in Scotland to switch
over
2008
Now owner Pernod Ricard sells the distillery
to the BenRiach Company
2016
Glendronach is sold to US company
Brown-Forman
along with the rest of the BenRiach
Distillery Company

CAPACITY (MLPA) i
1.4
CONDENSER TYPE i
Standard condensers
FERMENTATION TIME i
60-96hrs
GRIST WEIGHT (T) i
3.76
HEAT SOURCE i
Diesel, external heat exchangers
MALT SPECIFICATION i
Optic and Concerto - less than 2ppm
MALT SUPPLIER i
Port Gordon maltings
MASH TUN MATERIAL i
Cast iron body, copper dome
MASH TUN TYPE i
Conventional drainage
NEW-MAKE PHENOL LEVEL i
Natural occurring phenol value
NEW-MAKE STRENGTH i
69-70%
SINGLE MALT PERCENTAGE i
20%
SPIRIT STILL CHARGE (L) i
6,000
SPIRIT STILL SHAPE i
Onion
SPIRIT STILL SIZE (L) i
9,000
STILLS i
4 (2 wash, 2 spirit)
WAREHOUSING i
6 warehouses
(3 traditional dunnage and 3 rack
warehouses)
WASH STILL CHARGE (L) i
9,000
WASH STILL SHAPE i
Onion
WASH STILL SIZE (L) i
12,000
WASHBACK SIZE (L) i
18,000
WASHBACK TYPE i
Wood
WASHBACKS i
9
WATER SOURCE i
Balnoon Spring
WORT CLARITY i
Bright
YEAST TYPE i
Mauri liquide yeast
OWNERS

The BenRiach Distillery Company
2008 - present
CURRENT OWNER

Glendronach Distillery Company
PREVIOUS OWNERS

Pernod Ricard
2005 - 2008
Allied Domecq
1994 - 2005
Allied Lyons
1978 - 1994
Allied Breweries
1976 - 1978
William Teacher & Sons
1960 - 1976
Captain Charles Grant
1920 - 1960
Government ownership
1916 - 1920
John Somerville & Co
1887 - 1916
Walter Scott
1852 - 1887
James Allardice
1826 - 1842

BROWN-FORMAN’S BENRIACH BUY

Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman has spent £285m
to buy the BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh
single malts. But has the US spirits giant overpaid for
the privilege? Richard Woodard investigates.

Trade secrets: There has been much speculation around
the sums involved in the BenRiach deal
‘Clearly people want to be in this industry, though the
opportunities are limited. The price of entry to the industry
is also very high now.’

That’s Billy Walker, speaking to The Scotsman two years ago.
Following the £285m paid by Brown-Forman to acquire
The BenRiach Distillery Company – the business of which he
is managing director – those words seem remarkably prophetic.

The deal for the BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh
distilleries, announced last week, is already being described
in some quarters as ‘a Billy Walker deal’ – in other words,
one negotiated by a person with the happy knack of buying
something at a knock-down price – then selling it on at a
considerable profit.

Just how big is that profit? Some reports have suggested that
the Walker family will net up to £95m from the deal – never
mind the sums collected by Walker’s fellow investors,
South Africans Geoff Bell and Wayne Kieswetter.

Given that the company paid Chivas Brothers £5m for BenRiach
back in 2003, and bought Glenglassaugh in 2013, five years after
it too had changed hands for £5m… Sure, the deal also includes
GlenDronach, a bottling plant in Newbridge and the company’s
Edinburgh headquarters but, from a seller’s point of view, the
maths look rather attractive.

Indeed, some of those attending the Spirit of Speyside Whisky
Festival over the past few days were quick to suggest that
Brown-Forman had paid £100m over the odds for the company.

Brown-Forman has worked in Scotch before. My first contact with
the company, more than 15 years ago, came at the annual TFWA
duty free trade fair held in Cannes, when it was marketing
Glenmorangie alongside Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort and
Woodford Reserve.

That association – selling Glenmo in various markets, including
North America and travel retail – ceased when Moët Hennessy
bought the Glenmorangie business in 2005 (by the way, the French
company only paid £15m more – £300m – for a company that
included Glenmorangie, a revived Ardbeg and Glen Moray, and
they were accused of overspending at the time).

Spreading the risk: Is the BenRiach deal part of a diversification
strategy?

Anyway, these guys know what they’re doing when it comes to brown
spirits, with Jack Daniel’s an unparalleled masterclass in 21st-century
brand-building. They’ve exited what they thought were the less
attractive strands of the business – selling Southern Comfort and Tuaca
to rival US spirits business Sazerac for $542.4m in March this year – and
decided that the best way to surf the whisky revival is to diversify.

First it was Irish whiskey – the company announced its acquisition of
Slane Castle Irish Whiskey Ltd, alongside a $50m investment in a
new distillery, in June last year – and now it’s Scotch.

This move into ‘rival’ whisky segments, at a time when American
whiskey is flying at home and overseas, works in a couple of ways,
using the receipts of Jack’s success (and of the Sazerac divestments)
to move into two equally buoyant spirits areas: Irish whiskey,
currently the fastest-growing spirits category on the planet, and single
malt Scotch, whose ascent (particularly in the US) is being
constrained by supply, rather than demand.

In this way, the deal also constitutes a spreading of risk; if the American
revival stutters (and it is, at least partly, driven by flavour innovations
such as Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, which are already showing
signs of losing momentum), then a presence in the Irish and Scotch
single malt segments might help to counteract that slowdown.

Consider another emerging deal, announced in the past 24 hours and
involving Southern Comfort’s new owner, Sazerac: the company has
entered into exclusive negotiations to buy the Paddy blended Irish
whiskey brand from Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers. Another
American spirits company moving into a fast-moving, overseas whisky
category? Is this an emerging pattern?

Whether symptomatic of a nascent trend or not, the Brown-Forman/
BenRiach acquisition – and its price-tag – has been driven by two
overriding factors: the perceived potential of relatively under-exploited
single malt brands; and the scarcity of businesses of this type and
scale that are for sale – the ‘price of entry’ mentioned by Billy Walker
in his Scotsman interview.

For those reasons, whatever the tittle-tattle and sharp intakes of
breath at the sums involved, you suspect that both parties are more
than happy with the deal.

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES GRANDEUR BATCH 9
February 2018
The GlenDronach distillery is launching Batch 9 of its Grandeur expression,
a 24-year-old single malt made from a vatting of three different vintages.

Sherried malt: GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 9 has been exclusively
matured in Sherry butts
The GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 9 is comprised of liquid distilled in
1990, 1992 and 1993, and aged in Spanish oak Sherry butts.

Just 1,487 bottles of the Grandeur Batch 9 is being produced, with
each individual bottle sealed with wax and numbered by hand.

Bottled at 48.7% abv, the whisky is non-chill-filtered and said to
offer notes of ‘stone fruit, baked quince and glazed cherries on a
bed of sandalwood’ with a ‘velvet’ finish.

GlenDronach master blender Rachel Barrie said: ‘Grandeur Batch
9 is a single malt of finesse, powerful complexity and persistence,
reaching heights of maturity and depth of character that approach
single malt perfection.

‘GlenDronach Grandeur is the pinnacle of the signature style,
representing rich layers of Highland heritage and terroir.’

The whisky is the ninth expression in a series of limited edition
whiskies, released by the Highland distillery under the Grandeur name.

It will be available for around £450 from specialist whisky stores
worldwide from February.

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES 15 SINGLE
CASK MALTS
February 2018
Highland distillery GlenDronach is releasing
15 Sherry and Port cask-matured single malt
whiskies as part of Batch 16 of its annual
cask release programme.

GlenDronach single cask releases batch 16
Single casks: GlenDronach's latest cask
releases feature 14 Sherry-matured malts,
plus one aged in a Port pipe
The whiskies, distilled between 1989 and
2006, range from 11 to 28 years old and
have been matured exclusively in Spanish
oak Sherry butts and puncheons.

However the range also includes a
13-year-old matured in a Port Pipe, an
unusual addition to GlenDronach’s annual
cask release programme, which was
chosen to highlight the distillery’s ‘finesse
and ripe bramble fruitiness’.

GlenDronach master blender Rachel Barrie
said: ‘The Batch 16 cask selection showcases
facets of the GlenDronach house style; robust,
elegant, fruity and full-bodied.

‘Each cask individually demonstrates rich layers
of Sherry cask maturation found in every
GlenDronach expression; from the 28-year-old
Sherry butt distilled in November 1989 with the
mellow maturity of rich fruitcake, to the 22-year-
old PX puncheon distilled in June 1995 with
sweet treacle toffee and manuka honey.’

Each cask will yield between 513 and 698 bottles,
with prices ranging between £77 to £310.

The 15 expressions feature in Batch 16 are:

GlenDronach 2006, 11-year-old,
Cask #1979 (PX puncheon), 679 bottles, 57.2% abv, £77
GlenDronach 2005, 12-year-old,
Cask #1451 (PX puncheon), 698 bottles, 56.1% abv, £82
GlenDronach 2004, 13-year-old,
Cask #3342 (Port pipe), 643 bottles, 55.4% abv, £90
GlenDronach 2002, 15-year-old,
Cask #4648 (PX puncheon), 678 bottles, 54.7% abv, £110
GlenDronach 1995, 22-year-old,
Cask #4038 (PX puncheon), 681 bottles, 55.1% abv, £180
GlenDronach 1995, 22-year-old,
Cask #3311 (PX puncheon), 518 bottles, 50.3% abv, £180
GlenDronach 1993, 24-year-old,
Cask #445 (oloroso butt), 649 bottles, 52.4% abv, £205
GlenDronach 1993, 24-year-old,
Cask #55 (oloroso butt), 567 bottles, 56.7% abv, £205
GlenDronach 1992, 25-year-old,
Cask #334 (oloroso butt), 592 bottles, 58.5% abv, £230
GlenDronach 1992, 25-year-old,
Cask #127 (oloroso butt), 636 bottles, 50.9% abv, £230
GlenDronach 1992, 25-year-old,
Cask #103 (oloroso butt), 517 bottles, 56.7% abv, £230
GlenDronach 1990, 27-year-old,
Cask #7902 (PX puncheon), 632 bottles, 52.1% abv, £270
GlenDronach 1990, 27-year-old,
Cask #7003 (PX puncheon), 617 bottles, 55.3% abv, £270
GlenDronach 1990, 27-year-old,
Cask #1014 (PX puncheon), 641 bottles, 50.9% abv, £270
GlenDronach 1989, 28-year-old,
Cask #5476 (PX puncheon), 546 bottles, 49.9% abv, £310

All 15 bottlings will be available to buy from specialist
retailers in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and
Canada from this month

GLENDRONACH LAUNCHES GRANDEUR BATCH 9
February 2018
The GlenDronach distillery is launching Batch 9 of its
Grandeur expression, a 24-year-old single malt made
from a vatting of three different vintages.

GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 9
Sherried malt: GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 9 has
been exclusively matured in Sherry butts
The GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 9 is comprised of
liquid distilled in 1990, 1992 and 1993, and aged in
Spanish oak Sherry butts.

Just 1,487 bottles of the Grandeur Batch 9 is being
produced, with each individual bottle sealed with
wax and numbered by hand.

Bottled at 48.7% abv, the whisky is non-chill-filtered
and said to offer notes of ‘stone fruit, baked quince
and glazed cherries on a bed of sandalwood’ with a
‘velvet’ finish.

GlenDronach master blender Rachel Barrie said:
‘Grandeur Batch 9 is a single malt of finesse,
powerful complexity and persistence, reaching
heights of maturity and depth of character that
approach single malt perfection.

‘GlenDronach Grandeur is the pinnacle of the
signature style, representing rich layers of Highland
Heritage and terroir.’

The whisky is the ninth expression in a series of
limited edition whiskies, released by the Highland
distillery under the Grandeur name.

It will be available for around £450 from specialist
whisky stores worldwide from February.

GlenDronach's 2018 annual single cask releases
To review all 15 of GlenDronach’s (cask strength)
new single cask releases in one sitting is quite an
undertaking. Rather than split the collection up into
various batches, Becky Paskin has selected seven of
the most interesting bottlings for review.

All 15 expressions have been matured fully in a
Sherry cask – either a PX puncheon or oloroso butt –
aside from Cask #3342, a 13-year-old Port pipe.
It’s an anomaly for GlenDronach, renowned for its
allegiance to Sherry casks, but a triumph says Paskin,
who fawns over its rosé-esque qualities; a welcome
reminder of summer while in the clutches of the Beast
from the East.

The remaining six expressions have been bottled from
both kinds of Sherry cask and at multiple ages, from
11 to 28 years old, each demonstrating the ability of
individual casks to transform a spirit’s character on its
own terms. Today’s lesson is all about maturation, says
Paskin.

SCORING EXPLAINED
OVERVIEW
GlenDronach 11 Years Old, 2006,
Cask #1979
GlenDronach 13 Years Old, 2004,
Cask #3342
GlenDronach 22 Years Old, 1995,
Cask #3311
GlenDronach 24 Years Old, 1993,
Cask #55
GlenDronach 25 Years Old, 1992,
Cask #127
GlenDronach 27 Years Old, 1990,
Cask #1014
GlenDronach 28 Years Old, 1989,
Cask #5476

GLENDRONACH 11 YEARS OLD,
2006, CASK #1979
SCORE
89
ABV
57.2%
PRODUCTION TYPE
Single malt whisky
REGION
Highland
FLAVOUR CAMP
Fruity & Spicy

NOSE
Prickly, indicative of its high strength, but
give it time, as patience is rewarded with
toasted wood spices – vanilla, cinnamon
and clove – and rich, crumbly dark fruitcake
laced with ginger. Cookie dough with
chocolate chips hide an inkling of lemon
drops and stewed apples.

PALATE
Really soft, is this really 57%? The texture
is tongue coating, thick and velvety with
upfront wood spice (which adds grit) and
PX Sherry washing over the palate. Juicy
ripe fruits appear toward the centre which
slowly, gently, cook on the tongue becoming
sweeter, toasted, caramelised.

FINISH
Toasty and comforting.

CONCLUSION
Well-matured, although still youthfully vibrant.
A heartier Sherry character than GlenDronach’s
core 12-year-old bottling.

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
Sunday morning baking with mum at the kitchen
counter.

GLENDRONACH 13 YEARS OLD, 2004,
CASK #3342
SCORE
92
ABV
55.4%
PRODUCTION TYPE
Single malt whisky
REGION
Highland
FLAVOUR CAMP
Fragrant & Floral

NOSE
An alluring pink-hued, rose-gold colour,
obtained from the Port that inhabited
the cask prior to being filled with GlenDronach
newmake. On first impression there’s a more
floral side to GlenDronach than we usually see,
with a hint of rose petal and Bergamot-scented
Earl Grey tea (but maybe that’s the colour
playing tricks on my mind). Certainly there’s
rich red wine (think South African Shiraz or
Cabernet) with autumnal forest fruits –
blackberries, raspberries – and an
accompanying nuttiness in the shape of almonds.

PALATE
Again, surprisingly soft and awash with ripe
berry fruits slathered with a vanilla cream.
A glass of chilled medium-sweet rosé on the side,
though some bitter tannins (from the tea?)
earth it somewhat. The intensity suddenly
builds in the centre into a crescendo of spices
before dying back again into an indulgently soft
cloud of berries, rosé and cream.

FINISH
Soft, slow, sweet.

CONCLUSION
Sublime. It’s only £90? Race you to the
store.

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
Centre Court at Wimbledon as the sun
breaks through.

GLENDRONACH 22 YEARS OLD, 1995,
CASK #3311
SCORE
85
ABV
50.3%
PRODUCTION TYPE
Single malt whisky
REGION
Highland
FLAVOUR CAMP
Rich & Round

NOSE
An earthy dryness, with a hint of rancio
displayed as dead autumnal leaves.
There’s dried sultanas, apricots and… stale
Christmas cake. Water, however, brings it
somewhat back to life, releasing fresher
fruits – red apples, tinned peaches, orange
peel – and suppressing the earthiness.

PALATE
As the nose suggests, it’s very earthy up
front, with notes of rotting wood, liquorice
and Angelica root.  Fruits take the form of
dried, but still juicy, cherries and apricots,
alongside a bitter walnut quality. With water
it takes on a more savoury note still, which
heightens the liquorice and, surprisingly,
develops a sweet pastry case character,
something akin to pecan pie.

FINISH
Dry, bitter, but fruity.

CONCLUSION
A highly complicated dram that begs
to be appreciated over a decent sitting.

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
An old fruitcake lies half-eaten and forgotten
in the cupboard.

GLENDRONACH 24 YEARS OLD, 1993,
CASK #55
SCORE
82
ABV
56.7%
PRODUCTION TYPE
Single malt whisky
REGION
Highland
FLAVOUR CAMP
Rich & Round

NOSE
A herbal quality – cloves, anise, cardamom –
akin to a decent Amaro with a hint of cola cubes.
Thicker still, into black treacle and molasses;
we’re verging on dark navy rum territory.
There’s orange peel in the depths, and sticky
toffee pudding. The sweet, rich stickiness is
balanced by a savoury tone, like a chocolatey
stout or salted caramel.

PALATE
Immediately bold – thick and weighty with a
syrupy texture. More of that sticky toffee pudding,
with dark chewy toffee, currants and heavily
salted caramel chocolates – Reisen chocolate
chews. A deep charred bitterness permeates the
sweetness, adding grip, while those cardamoms
and anise warm the tongue.

FINISH
Dry and long.

CONCLUSION
Punchy and bold. This is a heavy dram, the
Guinness of GlenDronach.

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
Mike Tyson makes a beeline for the pud.

GLENDRONACH 25 YEARS OLD, 1992,
CASK #127
SCORE
82
ABV
50.9%
PRODUCTION TYPE
Single malt whisky
REGION
Highland
FLAVOUR CAMP
Fruity & Spicy

NOSE
A dusty start, with sandalwood, and
fresh wood shavings. It transcends
into the Easter Bunny’s dream – Swiss
milk chocolate, honeycomb and praline –
but needs time to properly open up.
Therein lies dried fruit – there’s that citrus
peel, raisins and a soft apricot vibe.

PALATE
The honeycomb continues, with a more
generous helping of that dried fruit from
the nose. The chocolate follows, bitter
and crumbly this time, leading to a slight
prickle toward the middle as the heat from
the alcohol builds. It’s not the strongest
GlenDronach in the batch, but certainly feels it.

FINISH
A touch bitter, and really quite dry.

CONCLUSION
Matured in the same kind of cask as #55 and
for only an additional year, yet the difference
is remarkably striking. A real lesson in a cask’s
individual influence on its whisky.

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
The Easter Bunny buried alive in a
makeshift coffin, along with all his eggs.

GLENDRONACH 27 YEARS OLD, 1990,
CASK #1014
SCORE
80
ABV
50.9%
PRODUCTION TYPE
Single malt whisky
REGION
Highland
FLAVOUR CAMP
Rich & Round

NOSE
A big nose; a full-frontal Sherry bomb.
We’re back to GlenDronach’s Christmas
cake character – baking spices, rich sponge
and dried fruit covered in marzipan. Water
releases aromas of thick toffee sauce and
caramel-coated popcorn, along with fresher
fruit notes of conference pear and lemon rind.

PALATE
A thick, oily texture, almost syrupy, permeated
by a prickling as those wood spices tap dance
across the tongue against a backdrop of rich
toffee sauce, Christmas cake, almonds and
dried fruit. With water it becomes bitter, like
an intensely dark chocolate verging on raw
cocoa, or an overly tannic red wine.

FINISH
Tingly, but long.

CONCLUSION
Full maturation for 27 years in a PX puncheon
has had its desired effect – big, bold and rich.
Sherry fans will be pleased, although I’d like to
see more complexity.

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
Someone switches the cream for fruitcakes
at the school fair’s ‘pie the teacher’ fundraiser.

GLENDRONACH 28 YEARS OLD, 1989,
CASK #5476
SCORE
87
ABV
49.9%
PRODUCTION TYPE
Single malt whisky
REGION
Highland
FLAVOUR CAMP
Rich & Round

NOSE
Vibrant, refined and indulgent.
The fruit is rich – apricot liqueur, dates, dried
cherries coated in dark chocolate, Sherry-soaked
mince pie filling and dried citrus peel (clementines,
lemons) – the latter intensified with the addition
of water.

PALATE
A more delicately Sherried palate than we’ve
seen from the older GlenDronachs thus far,
with the layers of raisins, walnut, dried fruit
and spices far more discernable. Stone fruit,
such as plums, apricots, nectarines interweave
throughout, while deeper, earthier base notes of
prunes, coffeebeans, and a dying coal fire add
weight. It gets fruitier still with water but the
balance is lost.

FINISH
Earthy yet fruity, and long.

CONCLUSION
An elegantly matured GlenDronach, again from a
PX puncheon that has nurtured its spirit more delicately.

BROWN-FORMAN TO ACQUIRE THE GLENDRONACH,
BENRIACH, AND GLENGLASSAUGH SINGLE MALT
SCOTCH WHISKIES
Louisville, KY, April 27, 2016 – Brown-Forman
Corporation announced today that it has reached
definitive agreement to purchase The BenRiach
Distillery Company Limited for approximately £285
million. When completed, the purchase will bring
three outstanding Single Malt Scotch Whisky
brands into Brown-Forman’s growing whiskey
portfolio: The GlenDronach, BenRiach, and
Glenglassaugh. The purchase will include
brand trademarks, three malt distilleries, a
bottling plant, and the company’s headquarters
in Edinburgh, Scotland. The BenRiach Distillery
Company, which has a workforce of 165
employees including 55 seasonal and
casual workers, will operate as a subsidiary
of Brown-Forman.

“The acquisition of these super premium brands
will allow Brown-Forman to re-enter one of our
industry’s most exciting and consistent growth
segments, Single Malt Scotch Whisky,” said
Brown-Forman Chief Executive Officer Paul Varga.
“The Glendronach, BenRiach, and Glenglassaugh
single malt brands are rich in history and we
believe they will continue to prosper and grow in
our hands.”

Varga noted that Brown-Forman previously was
a minority shareholder of Glenmorangie plc and
marketed the Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky
brand in the U.S. and Canada from 1992 to 2005
and in Continental Europe and certain Asian
markets from 2000 to 2005. Brown-Forman sold
its interest as part of Glenmorangie plc’s sale to
Moet Hennessy in 2005.

“We feel immensely privileged to have been custodians
of this business for the last 12 years, and to be
associated with these wonderful brands and great
distilleries,” said Billy Walker, managing director of
The BenRiach Distillery Company Limited. “Our team
have energized these distilleries and engaged creatively
and successfully with the premium end of the market.
We are very confident that Brown-Forman will take
The GlenDronach, BenRiach, and Glenglassaugh brands
to the next level and fulfill their full potential, and prove
to be worthy custodians of these historic distilleries.”

The GlenDronach Distillery, located in the hills of the
Scottish Highlands, was founded in 1826. GlenDronach
produces a range of ultra-premium single malt whiskies
and is most noted for its richly sherried whiskies. Located
in the heart of Speyside, The BenRiach Distillery began
making malt whisky in 1898 and is known for
experimenting with wood finishes producing whisky
from both non-peated and peated malted barley.
The Glenglassaugh Distillery, founded in 1875, is located
on the coast in the northern Scottish Highlands overlooking
the North Sea producing a coastal Highland malt.

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing
conditions, is expected to close on or about June 1, 2016.

For more than 145 years, Brown-Forman Corporation
has enriched the experience of life by responsibly
building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s & Cola,
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Gentleman Jack,
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Finlandia, Korbel, el Jimador,
Woodford Reserve, Canadian Mist, Herradura, New Mix,
Sonoma-Cutrer, Early Times, and Chambord.
Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly
4,400 employees and sold in approximately 160
countries worldwide. For more information about
the company,

GLENDRONACH REVIVAL 15 YEAR OLD RETURNS
September 2018
GlenDronach distillery has once again relaunched its
Sherry-matured 15-year-old Revival, following a
three-year absence from shelves.

GlenDronach Revival 15 Year Old
Sherried comeback: The new GlenDronach Revival 15
Year Old has been matured in ex-oloroso and PX casks
The single malt has been matured in a combination of
ex-oloroso and PX Spanish oak casks from Andalucía
for 15 years, before being bottled at 46% abv.

It’s described as having notes of ‘ripe dark fruits and
manuka honey’ with an ‘elegant silk-velvet chocolate finish’.

The expression, priced at around £61 for a 70cl bottle,
will be available globally following an initial four-week
exclusive launch at GlenDronach distillery’s visitor centre.

Rachel Barrie, master blender for GlenDronach, said:
‘Today marks the return of The GlenDronach Revival
aged 15 years, an iconic aged expression of critical
acclaim, revered by connoisseurs around the globe.

‘Over 15 years in the darkness of our dunnage
warehouses, the spirit has grown in stature, refinement
and intensity.’

The original GlenDronach 15-year-old was first
launched in the 1990s as a 40% abv expression.

It was discontinued some time after, but reintroduced
again in 2009 under new ownership as GlenDronach Revival,
this time bottled at 46% abv.

However stock constraints forced its discontinuation in
2015.

The GlenDronach focuses on the marriage of fruity
and nutty Oloroso sherry casks and P X casks


GLENDRONACH DEBUTS NEW GRANDEUR
BATCH 10
December 2018
GlenDronach has launched the 10th expression
in its limited edition Grandeur range, a 27-year-old
single malt matured in some of the distillery’s ‘oldest
and most unique’ Sherry casks.

GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 10
‘Intense Sherry’: GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 10
has been matured in ex-PX and oloroso Sherry casks
Grandeur Batch 10 is described as an ‘intense Sherry
expression’ containing notes of ‘morello cherries in
dark chocolate’ with a finish comprised of ‘black
truffle, old-fashioned treacle gingerbread, prune
and walnut oil’.

Bottled at 50.1% abv, the whisky has been
matured in a combination of ex-PX and oloroso
Sherry puncheons and butts.

GlenDronach master blender Rachel Barrie said:
‘With layers of damson plum, black walnut and
truffle on a bed of antique leather and old-fashioned
treacle gingerbread, Batch 10 celebrates the robust,
full-bodied style of the GlenDronach distillery.’

Only 2,293 bottles of the limited edition malt are
available worldwide from specialist retailers, priced
around £449.

GlenDronach Grandeur Batch 9, released in
February 2018, was a 24-year-old single malt
made from a vatting of three different vintages.


GLENDRONACH BOYNSMILL LAUNCHES
IN DUTY FREE
May 2019
Highland distillery GlenDronach has released its
second global travel retail exclusive whisky, the
Boynsmill single malt.

GlenDronach Boynsmill 16-year-old global travel
retail exclusive
Travel exclusive: GlenDronach Boynsmill 16-year-old
is named after the distillery’s Highland home
The 16-year-old expression was matured in a
combination of ex-Port, Pedro Ximénez and oloroso
Sherry casks, before being bottled without colouring
or chill filtration at 46% abv.

Boynsmill is described as having ‘plum pudding,
cherry stone and apricot brandy’ notes on the
nose and an ‘exceedingly rich and fruity’ palate.

The expression is named after Boynsmill Estate,
which was established as the home for GlenDronach
distillery by its founder James Allardice in 1826, and
continues to welcome visitors today.

GlenDronach master blender Dr Rachel Barrie said: ‘
The GlenDronach Boynsmill aged 16 years celebrates
the rich heritage of the distillery, with a small number
of casks hand-selected to showcase its robust and
complex Highland character.

‘Pedro Ximénez and oloroso Sherry casks express
the rich and full-bodied signature style of the GlenDronach,
while Port casks from the Douro Valley subtly influence
the balance of fruit, recognisable in the “Valley of the Brambles”.’

Boynsmill is available from select travel retail outlets for
around £88, or US$115.

The expression will join GlenDronach’s first travel retail
exclusive whisky, Forgue, which was launched in September
2018.

GLENDRONACH RELEASES PORT WOOD WHISKY
June 2019
Highland distillery GlenDronach has unveiled Port Wood,
a limited release 10-year-old single malt.

GlenDronach Port Wood has been part-aged in Port pipes
The whisky was matured in a combination of ex-Pedro
Ximénez and ex-oloroso Sherry casks, followed by a
second maturation in ex-Port pipes sourced from the
Douro valley of Portugal.

The expression was bottled without chill filtration or
added colouring at 46% abv.

GlenDronach master blender Dr Rachel Barrie
described Port Wood as having ‘waves of Victoria
plum and top notes of cherry blossom’ on the nose,
‘blackberry and roasted apple crumble with freshly
baked gingerbread’ on the palate, and a ‘richly fruity’
finish.

She credited the maturation in Port pipes for giving
the expression ‘a deep cherry wood colour’ and ‘enriching
the layers of fruit’ in the whisky.

The distillery stated inspiration for the expression came
from the historical import of casked Port into Scotland in
the 19th century, during the time of GlenDronach’s founder,
James Allardice.

GlenDronach Port Wood is available to purchase from
specialist retailers at around £60 a bottle.

The expression joins GlenDronach’s Master Vintage 1993
single malt, a 25-year-old whisky, in the distillery’s limited
release collection.

It follows the 2017 release of GlenDronach
Peated Port Wood.


The GlenDronach Traditionally Peated
GlenDronach launches Traditionally Peated
November, 2019

The GlenDronach Distillery has launched its
Traditionally Peated expression - a highland scotch with a
heated finish.

Master blender Dr Rachel Barrie created The GlenDronach
Traditionally Peated by blending Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso
sherry and port casks.

“The GlenDronach Traditionally Peated offers connoisseurs
a rare opportunity to explore the distillery’s rich depths of
sherry cask maturation,” said Dr Barrie.

The whisky is bottled at 48% abv and is non-chill filtered.
It is now available to buy from specialist retailers worldwide

02 November, 2022

Highland whisky producer The Glendronach Distillery has announced the release of the eleventh batch of The Glendronach Cask Strength Editions.

The distillery’s latest bottling, from master blender Dr Rachel Barrie, has been aged in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.

“This eleventh batch of The Glendronach Cask Strength embodies The Glendronach‘s celebrated style of Spanish Oak maturation in fine Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía,” said Barrie.

“Add a drop or two of water to this latest expression to reveal a cornucopia of flavour - from richly spiced bramble wine and treacle toffee, to lingering Seville orange peel and nutmeg layered with caramel and maraschino cherry.”

The Glendronach Cask Strength Edition 11, bottled at 59.8% abv is available in the UK at rrp £68, prices may vary in global markets

The Glendronach releases latest cask strength edition
02 November, 2022

Highland whisky producer The Glendronach Distillery has announced the release of the eleventh batch of The Glendronach Cask Strength Editions.

The distillery’s latest bottling, from master blender Dr Rachel Barrie, has been aged in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks.

“This eleventh batch of The Glendronach Cask Strength embodies The Glendronach‘s celebrated style of Spanish Oak maturation in fine Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía,” said Barrie.

“Add a drop or two of water to this latest expression to reveal a cornucopia of flavour - from richly spiced bramble wine and treacle toffee, to lingering Seville orange peel and nutmeg layered with caramel and maraschino cherry.”

The Glendronach Cask Strength Edition 11, bottled at 59.8% abv is available in the UK at rrp £68, prices may vary in global markets.

Hier trifft Mystik auf Natur, Moderne auf Tradition und Leidenschaft auf Liebe zum Detail. All diese Aspekte haben die Lebensweise der Schotten zu einem Punkt geführt, an dem Kultur auch zu einem sinnhaften Erlebnis wird. Ein Mehr an Qualität und Beständigkeit, welches sich natürlich auch in dem bekanntesten Produkt Schottlands wiederfindet.

Eingebettet in das Tal von Forgue, tief in den östlichen Highlands, liegt die The GlenDronach Destillerie, eine der ältesten Brennereien in Schottland, deren Geschichte reich ist an charismatischen Persönlichkeiten, herausfordernden Rückschlägen und Triumphen durch Hingabe. Hier treffen zweihundert Jahre Tradition auf meisterliche Handwerkskunst und Innovation und finden Vollendung in dem Markenzeichen des The Glendronach – die Verbindung des Highland Spirits mit den feinsten Oloroso Sherry Fässern aus Andalusien.

Whisky als Bestandteil der schottischen Gesellschaft
Das wahre Erbe liegt also in den über Jahrhunderte hinweg überlieferten Whiskytraditionen, die ein wichtiger Bestandteil der schottischen Gesellschaft sind. "Der Regen von heute ist der Whisky von morgen", so lautet ein traditionelles schottisches Sprichwort, das deutlich zeigt, wie sehr die Schotten ihren Whisky wertschätzen: In Schottland trägt man die Liebe zum flüssigen Gold im Herzen.

Diese enge Verbindung zwischen dem schottischen Land und der Identität des schottischen Whiskys ist einzigartig und beruht auf dem Reichtum der natürlichen Ressourcen. Dieses weiche Highland-Wasser, das aus Unterwasserquellen in den Balnoon-Hügeln stammt und die auf kaledonischem Boden angebaute Gerste bilden die natürliche Basis von The GlenDronach. Das Resultat ist ein reichhaltiger, fruchtiger und eleganter Single Malt mit einem langen und angenehmen Abgang.  

Natürlich schlagen die Herzen der Whisky-Liebhaber nicht alle im gleichen Takt und sind so unterschiedlich im Charakter wie die Whiskys der Highlands. Das riesige Gebiet der Highlands bietet eine der größten Geschmackspaletten, von subtilen Eichenaromen, reicher Fruchtigkeit, Honig und gelegentlich etwas Torf und Rauch – The GlenDronach ist entsprechend tief in der Farbe und reich im Geschmack.

From its home in the Scottish Highlands, the GlenDronach Distillery has been
creating the finest sherried single malts for nearly 200 years. In 1826 the
exuberant and extroverted James Allardice founded the distillery and produced
his ‘Guid GlenDronach’ single malt.
Our Malts
GlenDronach 12 year old Original,
GlenDronach 15 year old Revival,
GlenDronach 18 year old Allardice,
GlenDronach 21 year old Parliament,
GlenDronach 15 year old Tawny Port Finish,
GlenDronach Single Casks
Opening Times
May to September: Mon-Sun: 10:00 to 16:30 hours
October to April: Mon-Fri: 10:00 to 16:30 hours
Visitor Facilities
Distillery visitor centre including distillery shop (with the opportunity to fill your own
bottle from the distillery manager’s cask or to buy our distillery exclusive bottling)
Guided Tours
GlenDronach Discovery Tour is available from 10:00 to 15:00 on the hour.
GlenDronach Tasting Tours are available from 10:00 to 15:00 on the hour.
GlenDronach Connoisseur’s tour has to be booked in advance.
Admission costs
GlenDronach Discovery Tour £5
GlenDronach Tasting Tour £15
GlenDronach Premium Tasting Tour £20
GlenDronach Connoisseur’s Tour £30
How to Find Us
Situated on the B9001 off the A97 from Huntly, near the valley of Forgue, the distillery is
within easy reach of most tourist routes
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