Glenfiddich does not own Balvenie. While both distilleries are part of the William Grant & Sons portfolio, they are separate entities with their own distinct histories and operations.
Glenfiddich and Balvenie are both renowned single malt Scotch whisky brands, but they have different ownership and production processes. Glenfiddich was established in 1887 by William Grant, the founder of the William Grant & Sons company. It is one of the most well-known and widely sold single malt whiskies in the world.
On the other hand, Balvenie was built by William Grant’s son-in-law, William J. Smith, in 1892. It is located adjacent to Glenfiddich in Dufftown, Scotland. Although both distilleries are owned by William Grant & Sons, Balvenie has its own unique character and production methods. It is known for its traditional craftsmanship and emphasis on traditional floor maltings, where a portion of the barley used in production is malted on-site.
The ownership of Glenfiddich and Balvenie by the same parent company, William Grant & Sons, allows for synergies and shared resources in terms of distribution, marketing, and overall management. However, each distillery maintains its own separate identity and production processes. This allows for the preservation of the distinct flavors and characteristics of each brand, catering to different preferences and tastes in the whisky market.
In addition to Glenfiddich and Balvenie, William Grant & Sons also owns two other malt distilleries – Kininvie and Ailsa Bay. Kininvie was established in 1990 and primarily produces whisky for blending purposes, while Ailsa Bay, located on the same Ayrshire site as Girvan grain distillery, focuses on the production of peated malt whisky.
The William Grant & Sons site in Ayrshire also houses major maturation and blending facilities, where whiskies from the different distilleries are matured and expertly blended to create a wide range of expressions and styles. This centralized approach allows for quality control and consistency across the various brands under the William Grant & Sons umbrella.
While Glenfiddich and Balvenie are both part of the William Grant & Sons portfolio, they are separate distilleries with their own unique histories, production methods, and flavors. William Grant & Sons owns and operates these distilleries, along with Kininvie and Ailsa Bay, to produce a diverse range of high-quality single malt and blended whiskies.