Glendronach Distillery
Region:
Highlands
One of a trio of distilleries in the Garioch, Glendronach was
founded in 1826 by a partnership of local farmers headed
by James Allardice. Under his charismatic lead, it built a
strong reputation, but tragedy struck in 1837 when a fire
virtually destroyed the distillery. The bad news continued
when Allardice went bankrupt in 1842. Walter Scott came
forward in 1852, and rebuilt the distillery into its current
condition. It was owned by the BenRiach Distillery
Company Ltd. The name Glendronach derives from the
Scottish Gaelic Gleann Dronach which means "valley of
the brambles" or "valley of the blackberries". In 1996 the
distillery was mothballed and reopened again in 2002 by
Allied Distillers Limited. In 2006 the distillery passed into
the hands of Chivas Brothers Ltd and in 2008 it was sold
to the BenRiach Distillery Company. The distillery draws
its water from the Dronac burn within the distillery
grounds. It has its own floor maltings and two wash stills
in addition to two spirit stills.