It was in 2008 when Billy Walker, the owner of BenRiach Distillery Co has aquired the Glendronach Distillery from Pernod Ricard. The distillery was granted by James Allardes in 1826. The single malt whisky they made was one of the fingerprint malts of Teacher Highland Cream. The distillery was one of the very last coal fired distilleries that were operational in the 21st century. Floor malting was also finished in 1996. The distillery was mothballed in 2000, then resumed production of single malt whisky in 2002. The distillery is up and running again only since BenRiach took it over from the French whisky giant.

As it was expected from the new owner, they put much more effort to come up with innovative bottlings. So, they launched a 31 year old limited edition single malt whisky named Glendronach Grandeur at cask strength (45.8% abv). Only 1.000 bottles are available worldwide mainly at specialist retailers on the price of around USD 570. The whisky itself was specially selected by master distiller Billy Walker from some of the oldest and most unique Oloroso sherry casks at Glendronach.

I visited the distillery appr. 10 years ago when it was still owned by Allied Distillers. I did my first ever Master of Scotch training in the distillery staying overnights in the Glen House next to it. That time the distillery was still operating in the traditional way (floor maltings, oregon pine washbacks, coal-fired stills, two different ageing method of the very same whisky), but the design and marketing already step into the 21st century combining the old methods with the new look.