Glendullan distillery

Introduction to Glendullan

A distillery with a passion for craftsmanship

Glendullan is a classic Speyside distillery nestled in the whisky heartland of Scotland, specifically in the town of Dufftown. It stands as one of the seven distilleries that have made Dufftown famous as the “malt whisky capital of the world.” With its riverside location along the banks of the River Dullan, the distillery harnesses the pure waters of the Scottish Highlands to create a whisky that embodies the gentle character of the Speyside region.

Despite being one of Diageo’s powerhouse distilleries in terms of production volume, Glendullan maintains a relatively low profile compared to some of its neighbors, making it something of a hidden gem for whisky enthusiasts seeking authentic Speyside character.

Why we have a soft spot for Glendullan

At Vault of Spirits, we appreciate Glendullan for its consistently excellent but often overlooked contributions to the whisky world. The distillery produces a wonderfully balanced spirit that perfectly exemplifies the approachable, fruit-forward profile that has made Speyside whiskies so beloved globally.

We’re particularly drawn to Glendullan for its versatility – it creates whiskies that are both excellent as single malts and vital components in prestigious blends. Its ability to showcase both bright fruitiness and substantial body makes it a distillery worthy of any enthusiast’s attention.

The history behind Glendullan

Origin and development

Glendullan was established in 1897 by William Williams & Sons during the whisky boom of the late Victorian era. Founded during a period of significant expansion in the Scotch whisky industry, the distillery was strategically positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for quality Speyside malts.

The distillery underwent a significant transformation in 1962 when a completely new production facility was built alongside the original, essentially creating “Glendullan 2.” By 1985, the original distillery was closed, and production continued exclusively in the newer facility, which continues to operate today.

Throughout its history, Glendullan has remained an important contributor to the famous Diageo blends, particularly for Grand Old Parr, which remains extremely popular in certain international markets.

The people behind

Today, Glendullan operates under the stewardship of Diageo, one of the world’s largest spirits companies. The distillery team maintains a steadfast commitment to quality and consistency, preserving traditional production methods while embracing modern efficiencies.

The master distillers and blenders who work with Glendullan’s spirit have developed a deep understanding of its character, allowing them to coax out its distinctive fruit-forward profile that balances accessibility with depth of flavor.

The craft and production

From raw materials to finished product

Production at Glendullan follows traditional Scottish methods, beginning with quality malted barley. The distillery employs a relatively long fermentation period, which contributes to the development of its characteristic fruity esters.

The distillation takes place in six stills – three wash stills and three spirit stills – that feature distinctive conical condensers, somewhat unusual in the industry. These help create a particularly pure and light spirit with excellent clarity.

A critical element in Glendullan’s production is its water source – the cool, clear waters of the River Dullan, which flows past the distillery. This soft Highland water imparts a gentle quality to the whisky and supports the development of its sweet, fruity character.

Maturation and aging

Glendullan’s new-make spirit is typically matured in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon barrels and European oak ex-sherry casks. The distillery’s warehouses provide the perfect environment for long, slow maturation in the cool Scottish climate.

This dual cask approach gives Glendullan whiskies their balanced profile – American oak contributes vanilla, honey, and citrus notes, while the European oak brings deeper, richer flavors of dried fruits, spice, and subtle oak tannins.

The standard expressions are typically aged for 12 years or more, allowing the whisky to develop fullness and complexity while retaining the intrinsic fruitiness that defines Glendullan’s house style.

Selected products from Glendullan

The Singleton of Glendullan 12 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This accessible expression is the perfect gateway to Glendullan’s character. Offering notes of orchard fruits, vanilla custard, and gentle spice, it presents a smooth, medium-bodied experience with a pleasantly sweet finish. Its approachable nature makes it ideal for both newcomers to single malts and experienced enthusiasts seeking an everyday dram.

Glendullan Flora & Fauna 14 Year Old – A connoisseur’s experience

Part of Diageo’s coveted Flora & Fauna series, this harder-to-find expression showcases Glendullan at a more mature stage. Expect a more complex profile with pronounced honeyed sweetness, ripe pear, subtle oak, and a hint of dark chocolate. The slightly longer maturation delivers a more substantial mouthfeel and a lingering finish with gentle warming spices.

Visit the distillery

Tours and tastings

While Glendullan is primarily a production facility focused on creating whisky rather than hosting visitors, occasional special tours can be arranged through Diageo’s visitor programs. These rare opportunities allow whisky enthusiasts to see behind the scenes of this workhorse distillery.

For those visiting Speyside, the nearby Speyside Cooperage offers an excellent complement to understanding the importance of cask maturation in creating Glendullan’s distinctive character.

Frequently asked questions

What is Glendullan?

Glendullan is a Speyside single malt whisky distillery located in Dufftown, Scotland. It produces a classic Speyside style whisky known for its fruity character, smooth mouthfeel, and balanced profile. While much of its production supports blended whiskies like Grand Old Parr, it also releases quality single malt expressions, primarily under The Singleton brand.

Where is Glendullan located?

Glendullan is situated in Dufftown, often called the “malt whisky capital of Scotland,” in the heart of Speyside. The distillery sits beside the River Dullan, from which it takes both its name and the water used in production. This location in the whisky-rich region contributes significantly to the distillery’s heritage and the character of its spirit.

What characterizes Glendullan whisky?

Glendullan is characterized by its approachable, fruit-forward profile with notes of green apples, pears, and citrus, complemented by honey sweetness and vanilla. The distillery produces a medium-bodied whisky with a clean, gentle character that exemplifies the accessible side of Speyside malts. Its balance of sweetness, fruit, and subtle oak makes it both distinctive and versatile.

Where can I buy whisky from Glendullan?

You can find selected bottles from Glendullan at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate both the core expressions and occasionally rare independent bottlings, giving you access to the best this understated Speyside distillery has to offer. The Singleton of Glendullan range provides an excellent introduction to the distillery’s house style.