Welcome to Fort Glen Whisky

WHY BLENDED WHISKY?

In the middile of the 19th Century, Scotch whiskies were available either as flavoursome malt whiskies - an expensive luxury - or more-affordable but slightly-bland grain whiskies distilled on the newly-invented Coffey Still.

In 1867 the law was liberalised to allow the two types of whiskies to be freely traded, stored and blended together, allowing for a new product which was both reasonably-priced and full of flavour. These whiskies were created by merchants who would buy from both types of distilleries to create their own unique products.

THE FORT GLEN WAY

Whilst the vast majority of blended whisky now available is either bottled by companies owning multiple distilleries - or bought already blended by independent bottlers - at Fort Glen things are much more traditional. We buy carefully-selected whiskies from distilleries across the country and meticulously age them in multiple casks.

Our methodical triple maturation not only creates our wonderfully-smooth spirits, but also brings flavours more usually limited to the upper-echelons of the single malt market - such as Sherry finishes and heavily-peated notes - to our unique blended whiskies.

SHERRY CASKS

Sherry was once shipped to Scotland in wooden casks, which were surplus to requirements once the Sherry had been bottled. Not only were these casks an economical choice - always a welcome attribute for the famously-thrifty Scots - but they also imparted wonderful flavours to the whisky.

As technology and logistics improved, Sherry began to be shipped more and more in bottles instead of casks, and whisky makers turned to other casks. Now Sherry casks must be made specifically for whisky aging, making this type of cask considerably more expensive than most other types. But the flavours are well-worth the cost.

The SOLERA RESERVE

PEAT SMOKING

Malted barley - a vital ingredient in Scotch Whiskies - must be dried once the malting process has finished. In the early days of whisky making this was done with whatever fuel was convenient, and peat was ideal for many.

Today malt is usually dried using electric heaters, but many maltings still use peat for the intense flavours it adds to the whisky. Perhaps the ultimate acquired taste in whisky, it's well worth getting used to!

FORT GLEN is a registered trademark