The first drop of Glenfiddich flowed through the stills on Christmas Day 1887 in Dufftown, Scotland. William Grant’s vision was simple: to make the best dram in the valley. That ambition still drives the company today, now a sixth-generation independent family-owned distiller that has become a leader in the international spirits industry. This year, William Grant & Sons Brands has claimed the top position in the IWSC Top 50 Producers.
The company is run by a professional management team and distils, bottles and distributes some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky and premium gin. At the heart of production are the Malt Masters: Brian Kinsman, Master Blender and Glenfiddich Malt Master, and Kelsey McKechnie, Balvenie Malt Master. They put in enormous effort to ensure distillery spirit quality and character are maintained, essential to making sure the entire portfolio maintains a consistent nose and taste for decades to come.
What sets William Grant & Sons apart is its commitment to craft. The Balvenie is unique among single malts as the only distillery in Scotland dedicated to maintaining the five rare crafts of the whisky-making process. The company keeps the craft of the cooper alive in their cooperages in Scotland, where expert craftspeople use centuries-old knowledge and tools every day. They repair, rebuild, char and seal the casks that breathe character into the whisky, a skill that takes four years to learn and far longer to master. To produce award-winning whisky, it’s crucial the wood is of the highest quality.
The company takes time to nurture its brands and never takes shortcuts, committed to providing consistency, quality and excellence across its award-winning portfolio. From that first Christmas Day in 1887 to today, William Grant’s founding vision remains: make the best dram in the valley.
