 |
|
|
|
| |
Boom Times –
1960s JOHN L S GRANT tells the
story about GLENFARCLAS |
NEXT>>
|
George Grant toasting
the haggis in Lyon 1966. |
|
If the 1950s had been good,
the start of the next decade promised to be even better.
In 1960, we produced more than double what we produced
in 1952, leading to the addition of a second set of
stills at the distillery. Increased production also
meant we needed more water so, in 1961, a new pipeline
was laid on Ben Rinnes to feed water into the Green
Burn, our traditional supply.
Sales were so good, we simply couldn’t keep up with
demand and, in 1961, my father found himself in the
unusual position of having to ration the sale of
new-make Glenfarclas to the blenders. Our first exports
of Glenfarclas 12 Years Old went to Switzerland in 1962,
to the US in 1963 and West Germany in 1964.
During that time, my father established the Grant
Bonding Company to bottle Glenfarclas under bond for
export. However, it wasn’t until 1965 that permission
was finally granted by HM Customs and Excise to do so at
the company’s Elgin warehouse. Shortly afterwards, my
father sold a 50 per cent share in Grant Bonding to the
brokers and blenders, Gordon & McPhail.
It was a time of change, and the closure of the Speyside
Railway meant all coal and barley was subsequently
delivered by road. And it was also a |
time of sadness, with the death in
1965 of distillery manager William Strathdee – after 43 years’
service.
This loyal service is by
no means unique. On Boxing Day, 1966, Annette Tweedie
joined Glenfarclas as a clerkess and followed in the
footsteps of her grandfather, father, uncles and cousins,
who had all worked for the distillery.
Indeed, with Annette only now planning to retire after
40 years with the company, 2007 will be the first time
since 1890 that we won’t have a Stronach, a Thomson or a
Tweedie on the payroll.
All these families will remember the uncertainty of
1968, when the Distillers Company Ltd (now Diageo) wrote
to my father to advise him that they didn’t plan to fill
Glenfarclas in 1969.
Fortunately, they did but this event prompted my father
to lay down more stocks for our own bottlings. He
anticipated sales of bottled Glenfarclas would be our
future. Without that foresight, we would not have been
able to release The Family Casks. So, please raise your
glass to my father, George S Grant.
 |
Visiting german film crew
instructing George Grant.
In 1968 the
pagoda (which now sits on top of the visitor
centre) can be seen in its original position on
the kiln. We only had 15 warehouses then, today
we have 32. Sadly the curling rink behind the
office (upper left) is now more.
|
| “The
1960s casks we are bottling for The
Family Casks collection shout with big
sherry flavours, synonymous with
Glenfarclas. These whiskies are rich and
heavy –very bold and brash –with lots of
sherry sweetness, and a beautiful,
lingering chocolate finish. They are
very heavy whiskies, to be pondered over
rather than rushed.” |
|
George S
Grant |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
