OUR PROCESS
DISTILLATION
ALCHEMY AND DOUBLE DISTILLATION IN THE STILL HOUSE
The heart of the distillation process lies in the still house, where the wash is distilled in copper pot stills that exactly match the shape and size of the original stills bought over a century ago by William Grant. Every bump and dent is reproduced - we're not taking any chances with our unique flavour.
The stills continue to be heated by 'direct firing' (applying a naked flame directly under the base). The wash in the stills is gradually heated until the alcohol turns to vapour. The vapour rises through the narrowing neck of the still and is guided downwards and through a water-cooled condenser. This condenses the vapour into an intermediate liquid, known as 'low wines'. The low wines, containing about 21% alcohol, are heated in remarkably small 'spirit stills', smaller versions of the wash still.
The vaporised alcohol is drawn off and condensed as before, and then trickles down into the imposing, gleaming brass and glass 'spirit safe', where the flow of spirit can be controlled. This liquid is now legally a bonded, taxable spirit, so it is kept under lock and key. The stillman runs the delicate operation of monitoring this distillation - any mistake can ruin the whisky's flavour. Only the fine middle cut, or 'heart' of the distillation is retained for maturation. The stillman catches it at the flick of a tap - a new batch of Glenfiddich is born.