Glenora

Introduction:

Glenora faced cash flow problems early on, which led them to sell newly distilled spirit called “Kenloch Silver” before waiting for their Whisky to mature. Eventually, a four – year – old bottling called “Kenloch” was available, a blend of Glenora’s own Whisky and Whisky from Bowmore. The first official release in the year 2000 was named “Glen Breton Rare”, which remains their signature brand to this day. This initial Whisky was aged for eight years, followed by nine – year – old expressions in the subsequent two years.

Since 2003, the Glen Breton Rare 10 – year – old has been the flagship offering from Glenora. This Whisky is matured in American oak casks, and its distinct aromas include vanilla, pine nuts, honey, malt, and green apple. The style of Glenora’s Whisky is often referred to as a Lowland – style Whisky.

In 2010, a 15 – year – old version of Glen Breton Rare was released, known as “Battle of the Glen”. This release commemorates the victory over the Scottish Whisky Association (SWA), who attempted to prohibit the use of the term “Glen” in the distillery’s name. However, the court ruled in favor of Glenora, allowing them to keep their name.

Glen Breton Ice 10 years old, released in 2006, was a groundbreaking Whisky matured in ice wine casks, a first in the Whisky industry.

For their 25th anniversary, Glenora released a limited edition of 750 bottles called “Jardin Reserve”, named after the founder, Bruce Jardin, who passed away in 1999.

The vatting process of Glenora’s Whisky is entirely done by hand and in small batches, ensuring meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail in every bottle.

Production:

The strong connection between Glenora and Bowmore played a significant role in the early years of the Canadian distillery. The collaboration and support from Bowmore helped Glenora learn and develop its operations. Despite this assistance, Glenora started with a small – scale production, filling only 20 casks in the first year.

Throughout its history, Glenora faced consistent financial challenges, which hindered its ability to reach top – level production. These financial difficulties made it difficult for the distillery to expand and grow its operations to the extent it may have desired. Nevertheless, Glenora persevered and continued to produce its unique Canadian Whiskies, building a reputation for quality and craftsmanship within the industry.

The Mashing:

At Glenora, the barley used for Whisky production is imported from Scotland after undergoing malting and peating processes. This barley, enriched with the characteristic flavors from Scottish soil and peat, forms the foundation of Glenora’s distinctive Whisky profiles.

The distillery benefits from the natural resource of MacLellan’s Brook, which flows through the property. The water from this brook is used in the production process, contributing to the unique character of the final product.

For mashing, Glenora utilizes a lauter mash tun, which is an essential piece of equipment in the production process. This tun allows for efficient extraction of sugars from the malted barley, setting the stage for fermentation and distillation to follow.

The combination of imported Scottish barley, the pristine water from MacLellan’s Brook, and the use of a lauter mash tun all play integral roles in shaping the distinct flavors and qualities of Glenora’s Canadian Whiskies.

The Fermentation:

During the fermentation process at Glenora, the wash, which is the liquid resulting from mashing the malted barley, undergoes fermentation for a duration of 60 hours. This fermentation takes place in three wooden washbacks, which are large vessels used for the fermentation process.

Over the course of these 60 hours, the yeast in the washbacks converts the sugars present in the wash into alcohol and carbon dioxide. As a result of this fermentation, the wash reaches an alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 8%. The 8% ABV wash is a crucial step in the production process, as it provides the foundation for the subsequent distillation process that follows.

The Distillation:

At Glenora, two 5,600 – liter pot stills were installed, which were acquired second – hand from the Bowmore distillery on Islay. These stills were originally used at Bowmore but found a new home at Glenora to aid in their Whisky production.

Originally, a regular wash still was planned for production at Glenora. However, due to financial constraints during construction, one of the two spirit stills was repurposed and converted to serve as a wash still. This decision allowed the distillery to increase production capacity to around 400,000 liters.

Glenora’s wash backs, which are the vessels used for fermentation, deliver sufficient wash to the stills. This allows the distillery to perform two distillation rounds instead of one, enabling a higher throughput and greater efficiency in their production process. This approach helps Glenora make the most of their resources and continue producing their unique Canadian Whiskies.

Warehouses:

Glenora’s Whisky production and style are deeply influenced by Scottish traditions. The distillation process, malt used, and overall approach mirror the methods employed in Scotland, giving Glenora’s Whisky a Scottish character.

The maturation process takes place in traditional Scottish – style warehouses. These warehouses have earth floors and are referred to as wooden dunnage warehouses. Such warehouses are known for their ability to maintain a stable and consistent environment for the maturing Whisky.

The Canadian climate, particularly in the region where Glenora is located, offers ideal conditions for slow maturation. The temperatures in this area can drop significantly, allowing the Whisky to mature at a leisurely pace, which is highly desirable for creating rich and complex flavors.

The warehouses at Glenora are not heated, relying solely on the natural temperature variations to influence the maturation process. This approach aligns with the traditional methods seen in Scotland, where the slow and gradual aging of Whisky is considered essential for producing exceptional and well-balanced spirits.

Overall, the combination of Scottish-inspired distillation methods, traditional wooden dunnage warehouses, and the favorable Canadian climate contributes to the distinctive and high-quality character of Glenora’s Whiskies.

The History:

Bruce Jardin played a crucial role in bringing the concept of a Canadian Single Malt distillery to fruition. He recognized the potential for such a venture in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and embarked on a journey to Scotland to gather information and acquire equipment for his distillery plans. The distillery, situated in the Highlands of Nova Scotia, was constructed to include a warehouse and a pub.

Production at Glenora commenced in 1990, marking the realization of Jardin’s vision. However, financial challenges arose, putting strain on the distillery’s operations. After a period of reconstruction, the leadership of Glenora passed on to Gary Widmeyer, who led the distillery for three years.

Ownership of Glenora changed hands again, and since 1994, the distillery has been under the control of Lauchie MacLean from Bedford. MacLean’s leadership brought stability and direction to the distillery, further solidifying Glenora’s position as a prominent Canadian Single Malt producer.

Through the dedicated efforts of Bruce Jardin and the subsequent leadership of Gary Widmeyer and Lauchie MacLean, Glenora Distillery has established itself as a cherished institution in the Canadian Whisky industry, producing exceptional Single Malt Whiskies in the beautiful setting of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Visitor Center:

The Glenora Distillery, located in the charming town of Glenville, Inverness County, is a picturesque jewel that attracts around 12,000 visitors annually. Hospitality is a significant aspect of the distillery’s focus, and to cater to tourists, Glenora offers a range of amenities and services.

One of the highlights of the distillery’s hospitality offerings is a pub where visitors can enjoy delicious dishes and drinks, including their renowned Single Malt Whiskies. Additionally, the distillery has six chalets, built in 1997, providing comfortable accommodation for guests who wish to immerse themselves in the tranquil surroundings of the area.

To showcase their Whisky production process and the beauty of their location, Glenora offers guided tours from May to October. These tours last approximately 25 minutes and provide insights into the art of Whisky making at the distillery. Guided tours are available every day, from Sunday to Sunday, departing hourly between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, allowing visitors to plan their visit conveniently.

The Glenora Distillery’s commitment to hospitality and their efforts to offer a delightful experience to their guests make it a sought – after destination for Whisky enthusiasts and tourists alike.

Contact Us:

www.glenoradistillery.com
info@glenora1.ca
Phone: (902)258-2662
On – Site
13727 Route 19, Glenville