Glenfarclas Scotch Whisky

Glenfarclas Whisky Distillery Information

Founded in 1836 by Robert Hay

Location Speyside region Central district east of Dufftown

Water source Springs on Ben Rinnes.

Glenfarclas Whisky Distilling Equipment

Stainless steel lauter mash tun

12 Stainless steel washbacks

6 stills

Matured in Oloroso sherry casks

Glenfarclas Whisky Distillery History

Glenfarclas means "Valley of the green grass" in Gaelic. The distillery has been under same independent family ownership since 1865

The story of Glenfarclas Distillery, established in 1836 by Robert Hay, is as rich and colourful as the great Glenfarclas Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky itself. It is the story of one Scottish family, the Grants, who since 1865 have been united by a single vision – the creation of the perfect malt whisky, the ultimate taste of Scotland.

The present days chairman’s great-great grandfather, John Grant was born in 1805 at the family farm of Lynbeg in the heart of Speyside, John Grant became a highly successful farmer, owning several farms in the area and breeding champion Aberdeen Angus cattle So it was only natural for him to be interested in the Rechlerich Farm, on the Ballindalloch Estate, when it became vacant in 1865.

Rechlerich Farm was renowned in the area for the Glenfarclas Distillery, established in 1836 by the previous tenant farmer Robert Hay. When John Grant signed the tenancy agreement on the 8th of June 1865, he purchased the distillery for £511.19s.0d. John Grant remained at his home farm Blairfindy letting his son George look after Rechlerich Farm, whilst the distillery was sub-let to John Smith, a descendent of John Grant’s great uncle,

John Smith left in 1870; to build Cragganmore distillery and John Grant took his son into partnership. During 1897 the distillery was reconstructed and modernized

In 1889, John Grant died, leaving George to run both the distillery and the farm. Sadly, a year later George also passed away, leaving the license to his widow and his two eldest sons, John and George. They later formed the Glenfarclas-Glenlivet distillery company, with Pattisons of Leith, who held a 50% share.

Unfortunately, it proved to be a troublesome partnership, and eventually collapsed with the Pattisons bankruptcy of 1898 . This left John and George in a predicament, However they formed their own company, J. & G. Grant.

By 1914, after many years of hard work, family commitment and shrewd accounting, the future of Glenfarclas was secure in the hands of the Grant family. However, John Grant retired in this year due to ill health, and his brother George continued as sole partner.

In 1921, George married Jessie Stuart Scott and they had two sons, George Scott Grant, and John Peter Grant.

1949 saw the death of George Grant senior, and the marriage of his son George S. Grant, to Catherine. They went on to have three children, including a son, John L.S. Grant, who joined Glenfarclas in 1973. George S. Grant retired in 2001, after 52 years as Chairman, and sadly passed away in 2002, John L.S. Grant succeeded his father as Chairman.

John L.S. Grant also has a son, George, who was born in 1976, and represents the sixth generation of the Grant family. He too, has joined the company and looks set to continue the legacy of his forefathers.

The number of stills was increased from 2 to 4 in 1960, Glenfarclas opened its Visitor Centre in 1973 Three years later the stills where increased from 4 to 6 These Stills are largest on Speyside

Published 8 times a year Whisky Magazine is the perfect complement to the dram in your glass. Every issue brings you fascinating articles on the art, science and romance of the 'water of life', plus page after page of tasting notes

Click Image for more details or to Subscibe