Brown-Forman has moved to clarify the operational status of Glenglassaugh Distillery following social media reports of its closure, confirming the Highland facility will operate under a shared production model with BenRiach Distillery rather than face permanent shutdown.
The announcement comes after Glenglassaugh production staff took to social media announcing redundancies and a temporary closure. In response, Brown-Forman confirmed a “small number of redundancies” resulting from the implementation of their shared production approach, which will involve alternating production periods between the two distilleries.
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“Glenglassaugh Distillery is not shutting down,” a Brown-Forman spokesperson emphasized in a statement to The Whiskey Wash. “We operate a shared production model with Benriach, which will involve periods of production alongside occasional silent seasons, as has been traditionally the case.”
Understanding the Changes
The new shared production model between Glenglassaugh and BenRiach represents a significant operational shift for Brown-Forman’s Highland whisky operations. Under this approach, both distilleries will coordinate their production schedules, with each facility alternating between active distillation and silent periods.
Silent seasons – temporary production pauses – have long been a traditional practice in Scotch whisky production. Historically, these pauses aligned with summer months when barley was still growing and water resources were limited. While modern production methods have largely eliminated these constraints, some distilleries still maintain the practice for operational efficiency.
“This shared production model, and our ongoing demand planning process, resulted in a small number of redundancies,” Brown-Forman’s spokesperson explained. “We deeply value the contributions of those impacted and are committed to providing support to them throughout this process.”
The company emphasized its ongoing commitment to both distilleries: “Our commitment to crafting exceptional whiskies remains as strong as ever, and we are grateful for the continued support and enthusiasm of our customers and markets worldwide.”
Industry Context and Strategy
The shared production model at Glenglassaugh aligns with Brown-Forman’s broader operational restructuring, announced in January 2025, which includes a 12% reduction in its global workforce affecting approximately 650 of its 5,400 employees worldwide. The company has committed to providing comprehensive transition support, including severance and outplacement services for departing staff.
Resource sharing between Scottish distilleries is not unprecedented. Brown-Forman already employs this approach with Master Blender Rachel Barrie, who oversees whisky creation across their Scottish single malt portfolio. The extension of this model to production staff represents a natural evolution of operational efficiency measures.
Similar production strategies exist elsewhere in the industry. Glenfarclas, for example, maintains its traditional summer silent season, demonstrating how historical practices can align with modern operational efficiency. These approaches help distilleries optimize resources while maintaining product quality and meeting market demand.
The decision comes amid shifting market conditions in the whisky industry. While consumer confidence shows signs of recovery, spending patterns remain below pre-2021 levels, prompting producers to adjust operations accordingly while maintaining production capabilities for future growth.
Looking Forward
Brown-Forman’s strategy for Glenglassaugh and BenRiach emphasizes long-term sustainability over short-term production volumes. The shared production model suggests a flexible approach that can adapt to market demands while maintaining the distinct character of both distilleries’ spirits.
For affected employees, Brown-Forman’s support package reflects industry-standard practices, including outplacement services and career transition support. This approach mirrors similar restructuring efforts across the Scotch whisky industry as producers adapt to evolving market conditions.
While specific production schedules remain undisclosed, the alternating production periods between the two distilleries indicate Brown-Forman’s commitment to maintaining both facilities’ operational capabilities while optimizing resource allocation.
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Market Perspective
While these operational changes reflect current market challenges, it’s important to view them in context. This isn’t a repeat of the 1980s “whisky loch” – where overproduction led to widespread distillery closures. Instead, Brown-Forman’s approach represents proactive resource management aimed at long-term sustainability.
As Rachel Barrie has demonstrated across Brown-Forman’s Scottish portfolio, sharing expertise can enhance rather than diminish individual distillery character. The same principle applied to production suggests a thoughtful evolution of Highland whisky making rather than a retreat from it.
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