The Auld Alliance

HIGHLAND

A smooth, huge whisky, with plenty of maltiness.

The good news is that Glendronach's reopening in 2003 is no flash in the pan, and Allied are investing further funds into their second largest brand. It is the last coal-fired distillery in Scotland, but will have to switch by 2006 in order to comply with EU legislation. This means that coal-fired stills will exist in Japan, but not Scotland!

Anyway, the distillery was built at Forgue, near Huntly in 1826, but was unfortunately burnt down in 1837 (perhaps they have a point in Brussels!) The distillery is very traditional and still has its own floor maltings, which provides about 20% of the malt required by the distillery. Two extra stills were added in 1962 after William Teachers and Sons had bought the distillery.

The make at Glendronach is a key component of Teachers blended whisky but as a single malt it is highly regarded within the industry.