Whisky Guide > Distillery Profiles > Glenrothes Distillery

Glenrothes - Changing Hands

1878: Glenrothes distillery was founded. Work started by James Stuart & Co who were the leaseholders of Macallan Distillery. When the Caledonian Bank closed its doors three partners, Robert Dick, Rothes agent for the bank, William Grant from the Elgin branch and John Cruickshank who was an Elgin Solicitor, formed 'William Grant & Co' and continued with construction at Glenrothes distillery. It opened the following year in May 1879.

In 1887 Highland Distillers acquired Bunnahabhain distillery on Islay and Glenrothes distillery. In December that year John Smith became the manager of the distillery serving for 31 years.

1898 saw the distillery double its capacity to 300,000 gallons. May 15th

1922 No1 cask warehouse was destroyed by fire along with 200,000 gallons of maturing whisky

1980 the still house was rebuilt and in 1989 two more stills were added.