The GlenDronach Distillery

James Allardes founded GlenDronach in 1826, making it one of the second wave of distilleries to apply for a legal licence following the 1823 Excise Act's liberalisation of Scottish distilling. The distillery drew its water from the Dronac Burn within the distillery grounds — a constant source throughout its nearly 200-year history.

In 1881 Walter Scott acquired the distillery, beginning a period of private ownership that would see it change hands several times. In 1920, Charles Grant — son of William Grant, founder of Glenfiddich — took ownership, bringing it within the extended Grant family network. In 1960, William Teacher & Sons purchased GlenDronach and significantly expanded production, increasing the still count to six. Teacher's association with the distillery lasted until 1976 when it was sold to what would become Allied Domecq through a series of corporate mergers.

The distillery was mothballed in 1996 and reopened in 2002, resuming the sherry cask programme that had long defined it. In 2006, Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard) added GlenDronach to their portfolio. Then in 2008 came one of the most transformative moments in the distillery's modern history: sale to the BenRiach Distillery Company, led by Billy Walker. Walker revitalised GlenDronach's reputation through careful cask selection, higher bottling strengths, and a premium single malt positioning that showcased the sherry-matured character. In 2016, along with BenRiach and Glenglassaugh, GlenDronach was acquired by Brown-Forman Corporation.

GlenDronach currently operates two wash stills (13,635 litres each) and two spirit stills (6,800 litres each), with an annual production capacity of approximately 1.3 million litres. Water is drawn from the Dronac Burn within the distillery grounds. All sherry casks are exclusively sourced from bodegas in Andalucía, Spain — a strict policy that ensures the authenticity of the sherry influence. The distillery works with both Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Oloroso sherry casks, the two traditional Jerez cask types, each contributing different flavour profiles to the maturing spirit.

The GlenDronach's house style is defined by richly sherried complexity with exceptional balance. Pedro Ximénez casks deliver dark fruit, fig, prune, and syrupy sweetness; Oloroso casks add walnut, dark chocolate, and warming Christmas spice. The marriage of Highland spirit — traditionally robust and full-bodied — with Andalucían sherry cask influence creates what the distillery calls a "duality": the amplification and crescendo of the palate that makes GlenDronach one of Scotland's most celebrated sherry whisky producers.

The 12 Year Old is the gateway: rich, accessible, and immediately impressive. The 15 Year Old (named Revival) deepens the complexity. The 18 Year Old Allardice — named after the founder — represents the fullest expression of the sherry cask programme within the core range.

The GlenDronach Distillery welcomes visitors for tours, tastings, and workshops, offering access to nearly 200 years of craft history in the Aberdeenshire countryside. An online shop and physical distillery shop are available on site. Book via glendronachdistillery.com. Address: GlenDronach Distillery, Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, AB54 6DB.