Glen Grant is one of the biggest selling malts in the worldwide market and was acquired by Campari in 2006 as a consequence of the purchase from Pernod Ricard.
Glen Grant is a whisky which is very light in colour with a crisp, fresh taste. The company describes it as a “pale whisky with a colourful history.”
It is interesting to note that Glen Grant is the only single malt scotch whisky which bears the name of its founders.
Glen
Grant Distillery History
1840
Established
by John Grant
1897
Major Grant built Glen Grant No2 (Later renamed Caperdonich) across the road
1961
Glen Grant was the best selling whisky in Italy and still is
1973
Stills increased from 4-6
1977
Acquired by Seagram (Chivas) and Stills increased from 6-10
2006
Purchased by Italian drinks giant Campari
Glen
Grant Distillery Comments
Important
component of Chivas Regal
Among
top selling whiskies in the world. Market leader in Italy.
Coal
fired stills
It was founded in 1823 by two former illegal distillers and smugglers at a time when illicit whisky distilling was rife throughout Scotland. Around half of the whisky sold at that time came from unlicensed distilleries.
In 1840, brothers John and James Grant decided to take out a licence and make the distillery legal! With the sea and port of Garmouth nearby, the River Spey at its feet and barley-growing plains nearby, all the basic ingredients of malt whisky were close at hand.
By 1872, the founders of Glen Grant Distillery had passed away. Young James ‘The Major’ Grant, born in 1847, had always taken a keen interest in the distillery and having inherited the business and the title ‘Glen Grant’ from his uncle John Grant, he was to prove himself a worthy successor.
There are many stories regarding “The Major.” A legendary innovator, socialiser and traveller, he lived by his own rules and set his own standards. New ideas fascinated him and he wasn’t afraid to explore them. He is said to be the first man in the Highlands to own a car. Glen Grant was the first distillery to have electric light. And he introduced the tall slender stills and purifiers which created the fresh malty flavour and clear colour that defines Glen Grant whisky to this day.
The distillery prides itself in the fact that it has had only nine distillery managers in its entire history and even less master blenders – four, excluding the founding brothers.
Glen
Grant Tasting Notes
Glen Grant 10 Year Old Nose: Medium/Dry with a good balance of ripe orchard fruit notes.
Taste: Intense fruity note with a long soft nutty, almond finish.
Glen Grant Unaged Nose: Soft and slightly dry with a delicate fruity/apple note.
Taste: Creamy and fruity with a slightly nutty finish.
Albert Stephen is the current Master Blender, continuing a direct line from Glen Grant's founding fathers to the present and ensuring that the distinctive characteristics and quality of Glen Grant whisky are maintained. If you are fortunate enough to visit the Glen Grant distillery, then a walk around the Glen Grant Garden is a must. After extensive restoration commencing in 1993, the Glen Grant Garden was officially reopened in 1996. It remains an extraordinary living museum of late 19th century gardening style and a fine example of a Victorian woodland garden.
Monday to Saturday 1000 to 1600hrs, Sunday 1230
to 1600hrs
Admission
charge
£3.50
Comments
Woodland gardens and walk.
Only distillery to have its own Victorian Garden
For
safety reasons children under 8 are not admitted to
the production ares.
Location
Glen
Grant Distillery is at the north end of the village
of Rothes, about 10 miles south of Elgin on the A941
Grantown-on-Spey road. Buses from Elgin stop 100 metres
from the distillery.
