Glenfarclas Distillery
Glenfarclas is undoubtedly an icon of Speyside. One of the few remaining family-owned distilleries in Scotland, Glenfarclas was licensed in 1836 by Robert Hay, a tenant at Recherlich Farm at Ballindalloch, until 1865 when John Grant purchased Glenfarclas from Hay's executors. Run by J. & G. Grant until 1895 when the family entered into partnership with Pattison, Elder & Co, founded by whisky pioneers, brothers Robert and Walter Pattison. After a complete rebuild of the distillery in 1896, Pattison, Elder & Co went bankrupt, sending shockwaves through the industry. Fortunately, the Grant family were able to keep Glenfarclas afloat and resumed full ownership in 1900. Since 1865, generation after generation of the Grant family have developed Glenfarclas into a single malt known throughout the world.
Situated in the shadow of Ben Rinnes itself, from which the distillery sources its water, Glenfarclas is a relatively large operation that follows well-known traditions that have been largely abandoned by other distilleries over time.
Glenfarclas is one of the very few distilleries that directly heats their stills, while others prefer indirect heating (via something like a water bath). The distillery has 12 stainless steel fermentation vats, six stills and more than 30 warehouses on the Glenfarclas estate, all of the dunnage type.
Glenfarclas is renowned for their use of ex-sherry casks, which add flavours of raisins, cloves, nutmeg and Christmas cake, a beloved feature of all their malts. The product range can be divided into two: the core age-designated releases, along with the cask strength of “105”, and the Family Cask range; an impressive portfolio of vintage whiskies aged in a variety of casks, released sporadically. While the 10-year-old whisky forms the entry point to Glenfarclas with its bright, fruity character, the 15-, 21- and 25-year-old whiskies truly capture why these intensively sherry-matured whiskies are loved the world over, whilst also showcasing just how wonderfully ageable these brilliant spirits are. Glenfarclas is a true whisky icon.
