Glenfarclas appoints new Distillery Manager

J. & G. Grant are pleased to announce the appointment of Callum Fraser as the new Production Manager at the Glenfarclas Distillery.

Callum Fraser, originally from Stirlingshire, has twenty two years experience in whisky distilling, having joined Deanston Distillery when it reopened in 1990, and rising to the position of Distillery Manager in 2006. Callum commented, ‘I first tasted Glenfarclas at a whisky festival in Ayr a few years ago, and since then I have followed Glenfarclas with interest. I am thrilled to be moving to Speyside, the home of malt whisky, to work for an independent family owned distillery, with such a long history.’

John Grant, Chairman of J. & G. Grant, said, ‘It is my pleasure to welcome Callum Fraser to Glenfarclas. 2012 has been a record production year for us, and with plans to increase production still further in 2013, he joins us at a particularly busy and exciting time’.

Plans are also already underway for Callum to host a Manager’s Tour of Glenfarclas during the 2013 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, giving consumers the opportunity to meet the new Glenfarclas Distillery Manager.

Callum Fraser - new Distillery Manager

Glenfarclas to sponsor the Varsity Rugby Match

The Varsity Match, held at Twickenham in December, has been the focus of Oxford and Cambridge student rivalry since 1872. The 131st event takes place on Thursday, December 6th at Twickenham Stadium. Glenfarclas, along with Pol Roger Champagne, are pleased to announce sponsorship of this highlight in the Varsity calendar.  

Pol Roger, the UK distributor for Glenfarclas, has been a longstanding supporter of the healthy competition between these two renowned universities; Pol Roger is the official sponsor of the Varsity Blind Wine Tasting Match, now in its 60th year, and sponsor of the Varsity Real Tennis and Rackets match as well as both the Oxford and Cambridge Real Tennis Clubs. Thus, the iconic Varsity Rugby Match represents a fitting extension of this ongoing support.

George Grant, Director of Sales for Glenfarclas, commented “We are delighted to support such a prestigious sporting occasion that has long been the benchmark of student sporting achievement. We look forward to toasting the winners of the match with a dram or two of Glenfarclas!”

In celebration of this announcement captains John Carter, of Oxford University Rugby Football  Club, and Rob Malaney, of Cambridge University Rugby Football Club, met on neutral turf at steak restaurant Hawksmoor, Guildhall for an unusually amicable encounter.  



Post Match Report:Won by Oxford, Oxford full-back Sam Egerton was named Man of the Match and awarded the Alastair Hignall prize and a bottle of Glenfarclas The Family Casks 1977.

Speyside Life – Single Malt and Spas

Earlier this year I was privileged to visit Ystad Saltsjöbad with John Grant to unveil a complete set of The Family Casks. Ystad Saltsjöbad, or more simply (and easier to say) YSB, is a relaxed beach front hotel on the southern tip of Sweden, famous for its spa, and an indulgent retreat on the Swedish Riviera. 

Looking for something different for their whisky bar, and seeing similarities with our family owned company, Anders Nilsson of YSB was inspired to make the centre piece of their new whisky bar a complete set of The Family Casks. YSB now joins a select group of bars worldwide to offer 43 years from The Family Casks by the dram.

To give guests a preview of The Family Casks, with YSB we presented a Five Decades of Glenfarclas tasting, prior to ceremoniously unveiling all 43 bottles to the sound of the pipes. This was followed by a delightful whisky makers’ dinner overlooked by the 43 bottles now proudly displayed in their new home. We were honoured to be joined by Dag Lennartsson, author of five books on whisky in Swedish, most recently 'Golf och Whiskyresor'. 

We recognise that for many the fun of The Family Casks is the opportunity to explore the subtle differences between the casks, or to celebrate an anniversary with a dram from that special year. We are delighted that YSB’s investment in The Family Casks, to offer the collection by the glass, will allow many more whisky drinkers the opportunity to sample the collection.

Back in 2007, when we launched The Family Casks, two bars were quick to offer all 43 of The Family Casks by the dram; Bar Nemo in Tokyo and The Mash Tun in Aberlour. More recently this exclusive network of bars has been joined by the Waldorf Astoria in Shanghai, Soho Whisky Club in London, and Hotel Montana in Luzern. My colleague Ian McWilliam will be visiting the latter in May to present a 1950s masterclass. Not many other distillers can offer that!

Erik Hultberg, John Grant and Anders Nilsson with The Family Casks
For more pictures please visit www.flickr.com/glenfarclas

Robert Ransom

March 2012