Glenfiddich

Glenfiddich is one of three William Grant-owned whisky distilleries which sit in relatively close proximity to each other to the north of Dufftown, the spiritual heart of Speyside. Founded in 1886, by William Grant of Mortlach and Balvenie fame, the Glenfiddich distillery is currently one of but three distilleries to bottle on site and houses stills with a total yearly capacity of ten million litres. Furthermore, the Glenfiddich matures its single-malt whisky in its onsite warehouses, which number forty-three and have a capacity of 800,000 casks. Malt is bought in, a proportion of this is made up of that malted at the neighbouring Balvenie distillery.

Glenfiddich was the first distillery with a visitor centre, which receives 125,000 visitors per annum and underwent a £1.7 million rebuild in 2005. World famous, Glenfiddich is the number one top-selling single malt whisky not only in the UK, but also globally. Following the end of the Second World War and the resultant surge in whisky demand, Glenfiddich was a relatively small brand and faced hefty competition from the blended scotch brands which held a veritable monopoly on the market.

Rather than competing directly, the Glenfiddich distillery concentrated on single malt sales and in 1963 became the first Scotch whisky to be marketed as such, flying proudly in the face of critics. The gamble paid off and eleven years later sixteen new stills were installed to cope with demand. The range is large and includes several cask finishes as well as a 2002-released 1937 vintage, of which there are just sixty-one bottles, each came with a recommended retail price of £10,000.

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About Glenfiddich Whisky Distillery

Distillery Number

01340 820373

Distillery Capacity

10 000 000 litres

Distillery Founded

1886

Distillery Status

Active

Distillery Address

Dufftown, Banffshire

Distillery Owner

William Grant & Sons

Distillery Website

www.glenfiddich.com

1886

The distillery is founded by William Grant, 47 years old, who had learned the trade at Mortlach Distillery. The equipment is bought from Mrs. Cummings of Cardow Distillery. The construction totals £800.

1887

The first distilling takes place on Christmas Day.

1892

William Grant builds Balvenie.

1898

The blending company Pattisons, largest customer to Glenfiddich, files for bankruptcy and Grant decides to blend their own whisky. Standfast becomes one of their major brands.

1903

William Grant & Sons is formed.

1957

The famous, three-cornered bottle is introduced.

1958

The floor maltings is closed.

1963

Glennfiddich becomes the first whisky to be marketed as single malt in the UK and the rest of the world.

1964

A version of Standfast’s three-cornered bottle is launched for Glenfiddich in green glass.

1969

Glenfiddich becomes the first distillery in Scotland to open a visitor centre.

1974

16 new stills are installed.

2001

1965 Vintage Reserve is launched in a limited edition of 480 bottles. Glenfiddich 1937 is bottled (61 bottles).

2002

Glenfiddich Gran Reserva 21 years old, finished in Cuban rum casks is launched. Sales in the US are not possible due to the trade embargo between the US and Cuba. Caoran Reserve 12 years, an attempt to recreate the peaty Glenfiddich produced during the war years, is launched. Glenfiddich Rare Collection 1937 (61 bottles) is launched at a recommended price of £10,000 each and becomes the oldest Scotch whisky on the market.

2003

1973 Vintage Reserve (440 bottles) is launched.

2004

1991 Vintage Reserve (13 years) and 1972 Vintage Reserve (519 bottles) are launched.

2005

Circa £1.7 million is invested in a new visitor centre.

2006

1973 Vintage Reserve, 33 years (861 bottles) and 12 year old Toasted Oak are released.

2007

1976 Vintage Reserve, 31 years is released in September.

2008

1977 Vintage Reserve is released.