The Glenrothes

James Stuart & Co, which also worked the nearby Macallan distillery, began building on a sawmill site, aiming for a lighter, fruitier spirit.^1,2,6 After the Glasgow Bank collapsed, William Grant, Robert Dick and John Cruikshank finished it with money from the local church and ran it as William Grant & Co.^1,4 This William Grant was not the one linked to Glenfiddich.^1,4 In 1884 it took the name Glenrothes-Glenlivet.^1,9,10 Alfred Barnard's 1887 book records 2 pot stills, 6 washbacks, and a worm tub for cooling the spirit.¹⁰ It did its own malting, with a kiln heated by peat, and took its water from the Burn of Rothes.¹⁰ Robert Dick, the resident partner, ran it with manager J. B. Henderson, and it made 80,000 gallons a year.¹⁰ In 1887 William Grant & Co merged with the Islay Distillery Co, owner of Bunnahabhain, to form Highland Distillers.^1,7,11 With Robertson & Baxter as agents, its spirit was then marked out for blending.^1,7,11

Work began in 1896 on a second malt kiln and on going from 2 stills to 4, but a fire in December 1897 caused serious damage.^1,2 A serious explosion damaged it again in 1903.^1,2 In 1922 a fire in Warehouse Number One destroyed 200,000 gallons of whisky.^2,4 Berry Bros & Rudd created the Cutty Sark blend in 1923, with Glenrothes spirit as a major part.^4,5,6 Another fire, in 1962, gave a chance to expand, and the 1960s boom took it from 4 stills to 6.^1,2

In 1979 a new still house was built, converted from the old malt barn.⁴ Another pair of stills came in 1980, and sources give 1982 or 1989 for when it reached 10.^1,2 In 1982 Berry Bros & Rudd sought a single malt, and Highland Distillers suggested Glenrothes, which until then had made spirit only for blends.^1,4 In 1987 Glenrothes joined the portfolio of Berry Bros & Rudd, which owned 50% of the Cutty Sark brand.^1,4