The Glendronach Distillery is a prominent Scottish whisky distillery situated near Forgue, by Huntly, Aberdeenshire, within the Highland whisky district. The name "Glendronach" is derived from the Scottish Gaelic "Gleann Dronach," translating to "valley of the brambles" or "valley of the blackberries."

History

Founded in 1826 by James Allardice (often referred to as Allardice), Glendronach was among the earliest distilleries to obtain a license under the Excise Act of 1823, which legalized whisky production in Scotland. Initially established by a consortium of local farmers and businessmen, the distillery has undergone several changes in ownership throughout its history. Walter Scott acquired Glendronach in 1881, and later, in 1920, it passed into the hands of Charles Grant, son of the founder of the Glenfiddich distillery.

Teachers and Sons Ltd. purchased Glendronach around 1960, subsequently expanding its operations by increasing the number of stills from two to six. Following a period of mothballing in 1996, the distillery was revived in 2002 under Allied Distillers Limited. In 2006, ownership transferred to Chivas Brothers Ltd, part of the Pernod Ricard group, until its acquisition by the BenRiach Distillery Company in 2008.

Glendronach has its own floor maltings and draws water from the Dronac burn within its premises. The distillery is noted for its category B listed building status, highlighting its historical and architectural significance.

In April 2016, the Brown-Forman Corporation acquired Glendronach Distillery, along with BenRiach and Glenglassaugh distilleries, expanding its portfolio of Scotch whiskies.

Production and Core Range

Glendronach is renowned for maturing its whiskies predominantly in ex-sherry casks, particularly oloroso and Pedro Ximénez (PX) casks. The core range includes expressions aged for 12, 15, 18, and 21 years, reflecting the distillery's commitment to producing rich, sherried whiskies.

Over its history, Glendronach has adapted its production techniques, notably transitioning from coal-fired pot stills to steam heating in 2005. The distillery utilizes a 3.7-tonne cast iron mash tun and maintains nine wooden washbacks, along with its distinctive pair of pot stills.

Glendronach continues to be celebrated among whisky enthusiasts for its traditional methods and robust, sherry-influenced expressions, cementing its place as a cherished Highland distillery with a storied past and a promising future in the world of Scotch whisky.