Glenfarclas

Introduction:

Glenfarclas, meaning “Glen of green grassland”, is renowned among whisky enthusiasts for its sherry maturation. Located in the heart of Speyside, just 5 miles south of Aberlour, the distillery has a wide range of single malt expressions, ranging from 10 to 40 years old. Glenfarclas whisky is full-bodied, offering aromas of dried fruits, sherry, honeycomb, butterscotch, light peat, nuts, and marzipan, with variations depending on the chosen release. Notably, Glenfarclas 105 is a cask strength single malt bottled at 60% ABV.

Family Casks:

Glenfarclas is famous for its Family Casks releases, which include a cask from every year between 1952 and 1994. These exceptional whiskies are bottled at cask strength, uncolored, and continue to grow in their edition.

Production:

Glenfarclas adheres to traditional production methods, with half of its 30 employees involved in milling, mashing, distilling, and warehousing. Production operates twenty hours a day in three shifts. The whisky is crafted using only three ingredients: malted barley, yeast, and fresh water. The secret behind Glenfarclas whisky lies in traditional craftsmanship, still shape, quality oak casks, and meticulous selection and blending of matured whisky. Visitors have the opportunity to witness the production process at the distillery, which is open to the public.

Distillation:

Glenfarclas features three wash stills (29,600 liters each) and three spirit stills (25,000 liters each). The first distillation in the wash still produces low wines at 23% ABV. The second distillation separates foreshots, heart, and feints, yielding approximately 4,000 liters of heart with 68% ABV. Glenfarclas stills use direct gas firing, a traditional method, and employ revolving chains called rummagers to prevent residue from burning at the bottom of the stills.

Mashing:

Since the 1970s, malting is outsourced, and malt is stored in large silos with a capacity of 330 tons each. After milling, the malt is mixed with hot spring water in a mashtun. The mashing process involves three water fillings at different temperatures to extract sugars. The resulting sweet water, called wort, is pumped out, and a second filling follows. The third filling with slightly heated water serves as the first filling for the next mash. Glenfarclas has one of the largest mashtuns in the Scottish whisky industry, capable of holding approximately 16.5 tons. The mashing process, including cleaning, takes around 11 to 12 hours.

Fermentation:

The cooled wort is transferred to 12 stainless steel washbacks with a capacity of 45,000 liters each. Distillers’ yeast is added, and fermentation takes about 50 hours. At the end of fermentation, the wash reaches an alcohol content of approximately 8% ABV.

Warehouses:

Before being filled into casks, the new spirit is reduced to 63.5% ABV using spring water. Glenfarclas exclusively uses Spanish sherry casks for maturation. The casks are stored in dunnage warehouses, stacked three high, featuring earth floors and stone walls in a traditional style. Bottling takes place at Broxburn Bottlers, located near Edinburgh, with Glenfarclas whisky bottled at natural color.

History:

Glenfarclas was established in 1836 by farmer Robert Hay on the Rechlerich Farm. In 1865, John Grant became the tenant of the farm and purchased the distillery. The distillery experienced challenges during a partnership with Pattison, Elder & Co. in the 1890s but was saved through determination. The Grant family continued to lead the distillery, with George Scott Grant serving as Chairman for 52 years until 2002. John L.S. Grant succeeded his father as Chairman and oversees the selection of sherry casks and sourcing of malted barley. The sixth generation, George S. Grant, joined Glenfarclas in 2000 and works as the Glenfarclas Brand Ambassador.

Visitor Center:

Glenfarclas opened a visitor center in 1973, offering distillery tours and a shop where whisky and other products are available. Various tour options are available, including the basic distillery tour, the Connoisseur’s Tour & Tasting, and the Five Decades Tour & Tasting, each at different price points.

Opening times

January – March: Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm
April – June: Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm
July – September: Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 4pm
October – December: Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm
For further information call 0044 – 1807 500345

Visitor information:

The Glenfarclas Distillery
Ballindalloch
Banffshire
AB37 9BD
Tel: +44 (0)1807-500257
Email: info@glenfarclas.com