Location: Rothes, Banffshire AB38 7AA Roads: By the Burn of Rothes Hours: Please telephone for information about visits. No reception centre Phone: 01340-831248   Fax: 01340 -831484

Glenrothes was the town’s second distillery after Glen Grant (qv), being completed in 1878 a little way up the glen for which it was named. It was a stormy night in 1879 when the first spirit came off the stills, the gale to the south of the country being strong enough to bring the Tay Bridge crashing down into the river.

Glenrothes was involved in the formation of Highland Distilleries, one of the longest established whisky companies in Scotland. The partnership was first formed in 1887 when W. Grant and Company, owners of Glenrothes, joined forces with the Islay Distillery Company, owners of Bunnahabhain (qv). The distilleries remain in the hands of Highland Distilleries today.

From the time of the creation of the combined company to the early 1960s, very few changes were made to Glenrothes. Then in 1963, the distillery was overhauled and extra still capacity was installed. Glenrothes is a good size and has five pairs of stills, the latest two pairs having been added in 1980.

Glenrothes has a rich, sweet complexity to it from more forward use of oak and peat reek. It is generous and velvety in texture with good fruit background. The company markets it at 12 years old and 43% vol., while independent bottlings range from eight- to 20-year-olds, and vintages go back to the 1950s. Source of water
Glenrothes Springs