GlenDronach Distillery
Deep in the East Highland Hills of Aberdeenshire, nestled in the Valley of Forgue, lies The GlenDronach Distillery. The distillery was founded in 1826 on the site of the Boynsmill Estate and the historic Boynsmill House – dating back to 1771 and later renamed Glen House – is still standing proud today. The Glendronach will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2026, to honour this milestone, the distillery is set to release its oldest ever whisky - a 56-year-old single malt.
Named after the bramble thorns we are surrounded by, ‘GlenDronach’ means ‘Valley of the Brambles’ in Scots Gaelic. For nearly two hundred years our distillery has been guarded by a parliament of rooks, who try to nest in our warehouses. Distillery folk believes that as long as these gregarious birds remain, the whisky will prosper.
Address:
Forgue By Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 6DB
This distillery is included as part of our East Speyside Tour.
Directions: When travelling from Aberdeen, GlenDronach is on the threshold of Speyside, Scotland's world-famous whisky region. The Distillery is situated on the B9001 off the A97 from Huntly, near the valley of Forgue.
Opening Times:
- 7 days 10am-5pm
Podcast:
In the December 2024 episode of the Distillery Tours podcast we spoke to Stewart Buchanan, Global Brand Ambassador for Benriach, Glendronach and Glenglassaugh distilleries.
Stewart's undeniable enthusiasm for all things whisky shines through as we learn more about the enduring histories of both Benriach and Glendronach. But it is Glenlassaugh that we pay particular attention to, the small but perfectly formed distillery that is so heavily influenced by both land and sea and provides visitors with, in Stewart’s words: a ‘window to the past’ of whisky making.
Experiences:
We warmly welcome visitors to The GlenDronach Distillery Visitor Centre all year round, seven days a week. All of our experiences include a tour of the production areas and a visit into one of our warehouses.
VALLEY OF THE BRAMBLES £25
Learn how The Glendronach is crafted with this tour of the distillery and a traditional dunnage warehouse. Discover the ins and outs of the art of sherry cask maturation and sample three whiskies from The Glendronach’s exquisite flagship range.
Duration: 1hr
REVELATION IN FLAVOUR £58
Embark on a sensory journey with our Revelation in Flavour experience. Explore the heart of our distillery, where you’ll witness the artistry of whisky creation firsthand. Savour a selection of our finest sherry-matured whiskies, each expertly paired with handcrafted chocolates meticulously crafted to complement the nuanced flavours of the whisky, creating a symphony of taste.
Duration: 1hr30mins
SHERRY MASTERCLASS £80
Following a curriculum developed by Master Blender, Rachel Barrie, this tutored tour and tasting masterclass explores the depth of character and flavour in sherry cask whisky. Delve into the rich history of how The Glendronach became world-renowned in sherry cask maturation; uncover four expressions highlighting our range of luxurious single malts; and walk away a Master of Sherry.
Duration: 2hrs
A MOMENT IN TIME £200
Embark on an indepth experience that takes you through the distinguished custodians, challenging setbacks and many triumphs The Glendronach has seen in its 200 year history. Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival, followed by a production walk-through to witness time-honoured traditions and craftsmanship. Finally, savour a guided tasting from the Old and Rare Collection, before enjoying a light lunch in our lounge.
Duration: 3 hours
200TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR £90
Celebrate 200 years of tradition, craftsmanship and sherry excellence at The Glendronach Distillery. With your host, explore the milestones in The Glendronach’s history, learn how our whisky has been crafted for 2 centuries, and discover the decades of the finest Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks laying within our warehouses.Your experience culminates in a tasting of 5 whiskies celebrating the heritage of The Glendronach.
Duration: 2 hours
