Kininvie Distillery

History

Origin and family ownership

William Grant & Sons was founded in 1887 as an independent, family-owned distillery with global reach and deep Scottish roots. According to the company's pages, Glenfiddich was the first drop in 1887, and The Balvenie followed in 1892. The family built the business step by step and created a global export history, which also includes the Prohibition period in the United States. Glenfiddich paved the way for single malt as a category in 1961, and The Girvan Distillery was established in 1963 as the world's largest grain distillery.

Expansion and innovation

Over the years, the company has developed a range of iconic brands and products. Hendrick's Gin was launched in 2005, Monkey Shoulder later became a well-known blended malt, and acquisitions such as Drambuie in 2014. Discarded (2018) and Atopia (2019) illustrate a continued focus on innovation and alternative spirit formats, including the use of resource efficiency and ultra-low-alcohol products.

Latest developments and additions

In 2024, Glenfiddich announced a global partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One Team, and in 2025 The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt were acquired and added to the portfolio. Glenfiddich XS was launched as a luxury collection with three sherry-finished variants – Fifteen-Year-Old, Eighteen-Year-Old and Twenty-One-Year-Old – and later the partnership evolved with releases such as 16- and 19-Year-Old bottlings in collaboration with Aston Martin. Additionally, a special 1959 vintage bottling was discovered and announced as part of the partnership with Aston Martin.

Production

Global footprint

William Grant & Sons has distilleries and bottling facilities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, India, the United States, and Mexico, employing over 2,800 people at more than 50 global locations. We produce some of the world’s most iconic spirits brands and have a global presence through our markets and partnerships.

Selected processes and vintages

The Aerstone brand comprises two variants – Sea Cask (Smooth) and Land Cask (Smoky) – both aged 10 years in the company’s Ayrshire maturation warehouses. Ailsa Bay comes from a technologically advanced distillery where Master Blender Brian Kinsman micro-controls SPPM (sweet parts per million) and PPPM (peat parts per million) to achieve an exact balance between sweetness and smoke. Ailsa Bay 2.1 is described as a well-balanced profile of smoke, fruit and toffee.

Portfolio and innovation

The portfolio includes Glenfiddich and The Balvenie as core single malt brands, Monkey Shoulder and Naked Malt as blended malts, as well as The Famous Grouse and Discarded as important additions to the brand portfolio. The company also demonstrates a strong culture of innovation through projects such as Glenfiddich XS and collaborations with Aston Martin.

Products and ranges

Aerstone – Single Malt, two options

• Sea Cask: Smooth

• Land Cask: Smoky
  Aging 10 years and available in around 20 markets. Two distinct flavor options that cut through the category with a simple approach: Smooth or Smoky.

Ailsa Bay

A unique, sweet, smoky single malt with technological precision: SPPM and PPPM control. The 022:019 ratio describes a balanced profile between sweetness and peat. Available in 7 markets.

Glenfiddich XS (2025 launch)

A luxury collection consisting of three single malts finished in sherry casks: Fifteen-Year-Old (Oloroso), Eighteen-Year-Old (Moscatel) and Twenty-One-Year-Old (Pedro Ximénez). Hand-selected finish by Malt Master Brian Kinsman, focusing on depth and character within the brand’s global luxury position.

Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old and 19-Year-Old (Aston Martin collaboration)

• Fifteen base: a blend of American and European oak casks, as well as new American casks and second-fill bourbon casks.

• Nineteen-Year: finish in Montilla wine casks for a complex and refined profile.

Glenfiddich 1959 – Limited Edition (Aston Martin collaboration)

A rare cask from 1959, crafted as a tribute to the shared heritage of Aston Martin and Glenfiddich, bottled in a limited run.

The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt

Acquired on 1 July 2025 and added to the portfolio. The Famous Grouse is described as Scotland’s best-selling whisky, while Naked Malt has earned a loyal following among whisky enthusiasts.

Discarded, Banana Peel Rum and Atopia

• Discarded: Sweet vermouth infused with cascara, the discarded fruit from the coffee cherry.

• Banana Peel Rum: Caribbean rum blended with banana peel for final maturation in used whiskey barrels, with a focus on reuse and sustainability.

• Atopia: ultra-low alcohol spirit, natural distillates and flavorings, 0.5% ABV, designed to mimic the gin experience without higher alcohol content.

Aston Martin collection and partnerships

Glenfiddich is involved in multi-year global partnerships with the Aston Martin Formula One Team and the Aston Martin brand, including special bottlings and pop-up whisky-tasting experiences tied to the partnerships.

Visits and experiences

Physical locations and experiences

• Glenfiddich Distillery Shop and The Distiller’s Library stores in Asia and global destination shops.

• Hendrick’s Gin Palace in Girvan as an inspiration and experimentation space for Master Distiller Lesley Gracie and the team.

• General experiential opportunities through the brands and their markets, including pop-up whisky tasting experiences related to the Aston Martin partnerships.

Philosophy and values

Purpose and approach

• THE BEST DRAM – We produce some of the world’s most iconic spirits brands and strive for long-lasting quality and innovation.

• BUILT DRINK-BY-DRINK FOR DISCERNING DRINKERS – We build our brands, market by market, through our dedication and approach.

• BY PASSIONATE CHARACTERS – We are seriously spirited in everything we do.

• WITH A PIONEERING ATTITUDE – It is in our DNA to be innovative.

Values and culture

• 100% family-owned, with six generations involved in leadership.

• 6 generations of heritage, 50+ global locations and 2,800+ employees.

• Be proud, be entrepreneurial, be responsible, be sustainable, be professional, think long term, embrace difference.

• Focus on long-term growth and sustainable development in society and the environment.

Status

• 1 = Active (currently producing whisky)

• 2 = In development (planned/under construction)

• 3 = Closed (no longer active)