Old Photograph Malting Barley Delivery Whisky Distillery Glenfiddich Dufftown Scotland

Old photograph of a Malting Barley delivery at the Whisky Distillery at Glenfiddich in the heart of Speyside, Scotland. The Glenfiddich Distillery was founded in 1886 by William Grant in Dufftown, Scotland, in the glen of the River Fiddich. The Glenfiddich single malt whisky first ran from the stills on Christmas Day, 1887. In the 1920s, with prohibition in force in the USA, Glenfiddich was one of a very small number of distilleries to increase production. This put them in a strong position to meet the sudden rise in demand for fine aged whiskies that came with the repeal of prohibition. In the 1950s, the Grant family built up an onsite infrastructure that included coppersmiths to maintain the copper stills, and a dedicated cooperage that is now one of the very few remaining in distilleries. In 1956 the Grant's brand launched the now iconic triangular bottle, designed by Hans Schleger. Following difficult times in the 1960s and '70s, many small, independent distillers were bought up or went out of business. In order to survive, W. Grant & Sons expanded their production of the drink, and introduced advertising campaigns and a visitors' centre. In this period they also took the decision to begin marketing single malt as a premium brand in its own right, effectively creating the modern single malt whisky category. Later, W. Grant & Sons was one of the first distilleries to package its bottles in tubes and gift tins, as well as recognising the importance of the duty free market for spirits. This marketing strategy was successful, and Glenfiddich has now become the world's best-selling single malt. It is sold in 180 countries, and accounts for about 35% of single malt sales. Glenfiddich is currently managed by the fifth generation of William Grant's descendants.



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Old Photograph Cutting The Peats Island Of Islay Scotland

Old photograph of a whisky distillery worker cutting Peats on the Island of Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. Some Scotch whisky distilleries, such as those on Islay, use peat fires to dry malted barley. The drying process takes about 30 hours. This gives the whiskies a distinctive smoky flavour, often called " peatiness ". The peatiness, or degree of peat flavour, of a whisky, is calculated in ppm of phenol. Normal Highland whiskies have a peat level of up to 30 ppm, and the whiskies on Islay usually have up to 50 ppm. In rare types like the Octomore, the whisky can have more than 100 ppm of phenol. Scotch Ales can also use peat roasted malt, imparting a similar smoked flavor.



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Old Photograph Benriach Whisky Distillery near Elgin Scotland

Old photograph of Benriach Whisky Distillery near Elgin, a former cathedral city and Royal Burgh in Moray, Scotland. The BenRiach Distillery was established by John Duff in 1898, close to the Longmorn Distillery which was also owned by Duff. The distilleries were joined by a private railroad, with a private steam locomotive, the Puggy, to transport coal, barley, peat and barrels between the distilleries. Soon after the railroad was established in 1900 the distillery stopped production in the wake of the bankruptcy of Pattison's whisky, a major Scotch Whisky purchaser. Only BenRiachs maltings remained in active use, producing malt for Longmorn. It didn't produce spirit again until 1965 when it was reopened by Glenlivet Distillers Ltd. In 1978 the distillery changed hands, this time to Seagrams. Seagrams became part of Pernod Ricard in 2001 and the BenRiach distillery began operating for just three months of every year. In 2004 the distillery was acquired by an independent consortium, the BenRiach Distillery Company Limited.



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Old Photograph Stills Pulteney Whisky Distillery Wick Scotland

Old photograph of Stills in Pulteney Whisky Distillery in the Pulteneytown area of Wick, Caithness. Scotland. The distillery was established in 1826 in the name of Sir William Pulteney, who died in 1805, and for whom Pulteneytown is named. The distillery is the most northerly on the Scottish mainland and was quite inaccessible, except by sea, when established. Barley was brought in by sea, and the whisky was shipped out the same way. Many of the distillery workers were also employed as fishermen. The herring fishing industry is no longer part of daily life in Wick but the distillery continues to operate, producing a Highland single malt with a reputation as one of the finest available. Characteristics of the whisky are attributed to exposure to sea air during maturation. The distillery closed in 1930 due to declining trade after the local parish enforced prohibition laws but re-opened in 1951 when the vote was rescinded after the law was abolished. It is now owned by Inver House Distillers. The Pulteney site uses water from an old mill lade, constructed by Thomas Telford. This stream flows out of Loch Hempriggs, 2 miles) to the South West, and is reputed to have powered a barley mill at or near the site of the distillery. The distillery produces the Old Pulteney single malt whisky at a number of ages.



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Old Photograph Pot Still Invergordon Scotland

Old photograph of an illicit Pot Still in Invergordon, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland. The illicit whisky trade was well suited to the Highland life. In traditional farming communities, families had to work with each other to be able to grow enough to support themselves. Many turned to making whisky as it became harder to survive as farmers.



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