Culture -- 8 days ago
Glenfiddich: A family history that is still being written
For the Glenfiddich distillery, Christmas day in 1887 – when the first drop of spirit fell from their copper stills – may have been a day of celebration, but it wasn’t the beginning of the story. Its name taken from the Gaelic for ‘Valley of the deer’, Glenfiddich had been a vision sustained by founder William Grant for 20 years; one which finally began to materialise stone by stone in the summer of 1886 when William, his seven sons, two daughters and a single stone mason got to work to build the distillery with their bare hands. After just one year, this long-term dream had a physical form, and William had taken a huge leap forwards in pursuit of his ambition to create ‘the best dram in the valley’.
Now one of the few single malt distilleries that remains entirely family owned, the success of Glenfiddich could not have been accomplished were it not for the passion and independent outlook inherited from by its founder’s descendants. William’s grandson Grant Gordon’s forward thinking in 1923 – increasing whisky production in the midst of prohibition – meant that with the change of the law ‘the valley of the deer’ was one of just six remaining distilleries in Scotland, and was primed to meet the now soaring demand for fine, aged whiskies. In the 1950s pioneering was at the forefront of the distillery’s development, with Charles Gordon, William’s great grandson, insisting on having skilled onsite coppersmiths to build and tends their uniquely shaped and sized copper stills and Gordon Grant building up a dedicated cooperage; understanding the importance of casks in developing outstanding whiskies is something that is maintained to the present day, with Glenfiddich being one of the few remaining distilleries with onsite cooperage.
Momentous and ground-breaking moments chequer the story of Glenfiddich. It became the first single malt whisky to be promoted outside of Scotland, a movement initiated in 1963 by William’s great-grandson Sandy Grant Gordon, who felt that this well-kept secret of the Scots should be introduced to the rest of the blended whisky-drinking world. 1991 was the year in which William Grant’s nine children were honoured for their work by the first ever vatting of the Glenfiddich 50 year old, from nine casks laid down in the 1930s, whilst 2001 saw the release of the oldest single malt whisky, with just sixty-one bottles from cask 843, filled in 1937. Eleven bottles of Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve were released in 2011, in honour of Scotland’s oldest woman and the last grandchild of Glenfiddich’s founder. Each were auctioned for charity, and world records were set.
From humble beginnings in 1886, the ambition of Glenfiddich’s founder has been fulfilled and far exceeded; his determination and innovative mindset have been passed down through the generations to be reflected in what is now the World’s Most Awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Our Top Picks:
• 15 year old: The complex and intense flavours are created by the use of the Solera Vat. Devised by the distillery’s fifth Malt Master and inspired by the sherry bodegas of Spain and Portuga, this pioneering method is the secret behind this whisky becoming the first 15 year old expression to enter the top ten best-selling single malts. This golden and red hued whisky has a smooth, full-bodied taste with an intricate aroma and a rich finish.
• Snow phoenix: The story behind this whisky alone makes it remarkable. In 2010, extreme snow caused the collapse of some of the Glenfiddich warehouse roofs, exposing the maturing casks inside to the elements. Round the clock work in -19°c from the warehousemen ensured that they were all saved, and Snow Phoenix was created as a tribute to them. It may have been created by chance, but it was crafted by and expert: the marrying of the finest Oloroso and American oak casks combines a creamy vanilla nose, a rich and complex taste and an exceptionally long finish.
• Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition: This complex flavours of this deep ruby red whisky are layered by double-maturation. Winner of a silver medal at the 2013 International Spirits Challenge, this is Malt Master Brian Kinsman’s first Malt Master’s Edition, which delivers a rich, complex flavour that is unique with each batch.
• Glenfiddich 19 Year Old Age of Discovery Madeira Case: Matured in oak casks previously used to age fine Madeira wine, this adds deep earthy aromas, and unique spicy notes to this rich and delicious single malt. An antique gold colour with a dry and war finish fading into sweet marmalade notes.
• The Original: A true piece of heritage and inspired by the original 1963 ‘Straight Malt’ (the expression which Glenfiddich used to bring single malt to the rest of the world), this recreation was achieved through extensive use of archives and samples. Available exclusively in selected outlets, this golden whisky combines a dry finish with a sweet and lively flavour.
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