Glenfarclas Distillery
Glenfarclas is undoubtedly an icon in Speyside. One of the few remaining family-owned distilleries in Scotland, Glenfarclas was licensed in 1836 by Robert Hay, a tenant of Recherlich Farm at Ballindalloch, until 1865 when John Grant bought Glenfarclas from Hay's executors. Run by J. & G. Grant until 1895 when the family entered into partnership with Pattison, Elder & Co, founded by whiskey 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 was able to keep Glenfarclas afloat and resumed full ownership in 1900. Since 1865, generation after generation of the Grant family has developed Glenfarclas into a single malt known throughout the world.
Situated in the shadow of Ben Rinnes itself, from which the distillery draws its water, Glenfarclas is a relatively large operation, following well-known traditions that have been largely abandoned over time by other distilleries.
Glenfarclas is one of the very few distilleries that directly heat their stills, with others preferring indirect heating (via something akin to a water bath). The distillery has 12 stainless steel stills, six stills and more than 30 warehouses on the Glenfarclas site, all of the dunnage type.
Glenfarclas are renowned for their use of ex-sherry casks, which infuse flavors of raisins, cloves, nutmeg and Christmas cake, a beloved feature of all their malts. The product range can be divided into two: the central age-designated releases together with cask strength “105”, and the Family Cask series; an impressive portfolio of vintage whiskeys aged in a variety of casks, released sporadically. Although the 10 year whiskey provides the entry point to Glenfarclas with its bright, fruity character, the 15, 21 and 25 year whiskeys give a true picture of why these intensively sherry matured whiskeys are loved around the world, while showing , how wonderfully these brilliant spirits age. Glenfarclas is a true whiskey icon.
