Our History
Timeline
1771
GLEN HOUSE WAS BUILT
The house was originally called Boynsmill and was renamed by James Allardice when the distillery was built in 1826.
1826
The Distillery Was Founded
The GlenDronach Distillery was one of the first licensed distilleries in Scotland.
1830
Bought Over
The distillery was bought over by Walter Scott (From Teaninich).
1860s
The Largest
GlenDronach was the largest duty paying distillery in the Scottish Highlands. Over 50 people lived on site at this time, including all of the workers and their families.
1920
Captain Charles Grant
Captain Charles Grant bought over the distillery. Charles was the son of the founder of the Glenfiddich Distillery
1960
William Teacher & Sons
The distillery was bought over by William Teacher & Sons. Teacher’s expanded the number of stills at GlenDronach from two to four.
1996
GlenDronach Was Mothballed
The distillery was mothballed for a number of years by its owners Allied Distillers.
2002
Distillery Re-Opened
GlenDronach was once again in full production.
2005
Chivas Brothers Take Over
Allied Distillers was taken over by Pernod Ricard and the distillery was passed to Chivas Brothers.
2005
GlenDronach Converts To Steam Heating
The distillery was one of the last to heat the stills by coal fire.
2008
Takeover
GlenDronach was taken over by the BenRiach Distillery Company Ltd.
2015
Global Whisky Distiller of the Year
The BenRiach Distillery Company was named Global Whisky Distiller of the Year at the 2015 Icons of Whisky Awards. A fantastic achievement for a small privately-owned independent company to win this prestigious global award.
2016
Brown-Forman Takes Over
For more than 150 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands. The acquisition brings three outstanding Single Malt Scotch Whisky brands into Brown-Forman’s growing whiskey portfolio: The GlenDronach, BenRiach, and Glenglassaugh.
2016
Rachel Barrie APPOINTED as Master Blender
With over 26 years dedicated to crafting fine Scotch Whisky, Dr. Rachel Barrie is appointed Master Blender of The GlenDronach, Benriach and Glenglassaugh distilleries. Rachel uses exceptional artistry and expertise to intricately compose each expression of The GlenDronach, placing the distillery firmly in the hearts and minds of whisky connoisseurs around the world and furthering our rich legacy for future generations to come.
