The Glenfiddich Distillery was founded in 1886 by William Grant in Dufftown, Scotland, in the glen of the River Fiddich. The name Glenfiddich is interpreted as “the valley of the Deer”. The Glenfiddich single malt whisky first produce from the stills, was on Christmas Day, 1887. 

In 1923, with Prohibition in full swing, just six distilleries remained operational in Scotland. Glenfiddich was one. The company wasn’t just surviving, either; the distillery was thriving under the guidance of Grant’s grandson,  Grant Gordon, who took the surprising step of increasing production while many others were going out of business.

Following difficult times in the 1960s and 70s, many small, independent distillers were bought up or went out of business. In order to survive, W. Grant & Sons expanded their production and introduced advertising campaigns and a visitor's Centre 

In 1961 Glenfiddich introduced its highly recognizable triangular bottle shape, created by German-born designer Hans Schleger. Also, Glenfiddich was among the first distilleries to package its bottles in tubes and gift tins, as well as recognizing the importance of the duty-free market for spirits. This marketing strategy was successful, and Glenfiddich become the first Scottish distillery to export and market its whisky as a single malt, first referring to the product as “Straight Malt” and “Pure Malt” to convey the message that bottles came from just one distillery and only contained malt. Consequently, Glenfiddich becomes the world's best-selling single malt. It is sold in 180 countries and accounts for about 30% of single malt sales.

The whisky is the only Highland or Speyside Scotch whisky to be distilled, matured and bottled at a single distillery. The distillery is the only Scotch whisky distillery to use a single source of natural spring water. Also In 2017, Glenfiddich is the world’s leading single malt whisky distiller and sold 1.22 million 9 litre cases.

The ultra-rare Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve was released to honour Roberts’ 110th birthday. The last remaining grandchild of William Grant, she was also Scotland’s oldest woman. Each of the 11 bottles was sold at auction and all proceeds went to charity. One of the whiskies sold in New York in March 2012 for $94,000, breaking the world record. Roberts sadly passed away the following month. Glenfiddich is currently managed by the fifth generation of William Grant's descendants