Glenfiddich Single Malt Whiskey

I grew up playing golf with my father and grandfather - both in kilts - having a wee dram (a little sip) of Glenfiddich at every hole. It kept them from getting cold knees. Do you know why a golf course has only 18 holes? A bottle of whisky only gave the golfer 18 sips.

According to figures from The Spirits Business, Glenfiddich is the biggest selling single malt whisky in the world, but its nearby neighbor of Glenliver is hot on its heels. Glenfiddich has won more awards than any other whisky brand in the world and it regularly makes headlines when vintage bottles go on sale for tens of thousands of pounds. Never one to sit still the distillery recently released a limited edition, 26 year old single malt to commenorate the COP26 conference and raise money for Stop Climate Chaos Scotland .

In 1886 William Grant with his seven sons and two daughters with their bare hands built the distillery. It was his dream was to create the "best dram in the valley" and by 1887, the distillery was ready and is name, Glenfiddich means "valley of the deer". It has made the name of Dufftown in Speyside famous. In 1887, the first drop of whisky fell from the stills on Christmas Day. In 1892 William Grant opened his second distillery nearby, Balvenie, which is also still in operation today.

In 1956 the legendary Hans Schleger designed the iconic triangular bottle, representing the three components of whisky: water, air and malted barley, which began being used for Glenfiddich in 1961 and today it is still instantly recognizable on the shelf.

In 1969 they opened their doors to the public, and the brand has gone from strength to strength ever since. Even if you are not a whisky drinker, you should take a tour and you can always give your wee dram to someone nearby. You will learn about 130 years of history, and how the company has grown, still in family ownership run by the fifth generation of the Grant family. If only William Grant could see them today, he would have a wee dram to toast what they have accomplished.

Whisky is as important to Scotland as bagpipes, shortbread, and golf.

The Gaelic toast of good health "Slainte".

Maureen Jones

Travel Consultant

650-961-2340