Is Glenlivet and Glenfiddich the same company?

Answered by Vince Keith

Glenlivet and Glenfiddich are not the same company. They are two separate distilleries with their own unique histories and ownership.

Glenlivet, also known as “The Glenlivet,” is a distillery located in Speyside, Scotland. It has a long and storied history, dating back to its legal founding in 1824 by George Smith. The Glenlivet is known for being one of the first legal distilleries in the area, as it was granted a license to produce whisky under the Excise Act of 1823.

Over the years, The Glenlivet has gained a reputation for producing high-quality single whisky. It has become one of the best-selling and most well-known Scotch whisky brands in the world. In 2001, The Glenlivet distillery was acquired by the Chivas Brothers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, a large French company. This acquisition brought The Glenlivet under the umbrella of a big corporation, which has allowed it to expand its distribution and global reach.

On the other hand, Glenfiddich is a distillery located in Dufftown, also in the Speyside region of Scotland. It was founded in 1886 by William Grant, who had a vision of creating the best dram in the valley. Glenfiddich remains an independent, family-owned distillery to this day, with the Grant family still actively involved in its operations. This independence has allowed Glenfiddich to maintain its own distinct character and identity.

William Grant & Sons, the parent company of Glenfiddich, is also the owner of another well-known distillery in Speyside, Balvenie. Both Glenfiddich and Balvenie are known for their high-quality single malt whiskies, each with its own unique flavor profiles and production methods.

While both Glenlivet and Glenfiddich are highly regarded distilleries in the Scotch whisky industry, they have different ownership structures. Glenlivet is owned by a large corporation, Chivas Brothers, while Glenfiddich is independently owned by William Grant & Sons. This distinction can have an impact on factors such as production methods, marketing strategies, and overall brand image.

Glenlivet and Glenfiddich are not the same company. Glenlivet is owned by the Chivas Brothers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, while Glenfiddich is independently owned by William Grant & Sons. Each distillery has its own unique history, ownership, and production methods, making them distinct entities in the world of Scotch whisky.