Glen Grant Distillery
Distillery
Founded in 1840
Glen Grant is situated just near Rothes, which is also the hometown of Glenrothes Whisky. The river Spey feeds the distillery.
James and John Grant, both brothers, founded the distillery in 1840. They were once in the business of illegal distilling. When they wanted to get on the legal side with a license they decided to start with Glen Grant.
James 'The Major' Grant, nephew of John Grant, took control of the distillery in 1872. He was known to be an influential innovator. After his death in 1931, Glen Grant survived with the efforts of his three daughters.
The new successor turned out to be his grandson Douglas MacKessack. In 1952 or 1953 Glen Grant amalgamated with 'the mother' company of Glenlivet, to form Glenlivet & Glen Grant Distilleries Ltd.
Later on in 1972, this company merged with Longmorn-Glenlivet Ltd. and Hill Thompson & Co., leading The Glenlivet Distillers to take over.
Years later, Seagram bought Glenlivet and Glen Grant, just for a couple of years, until Seagram was bought by Diageo & Pernod Ricard. The final takeover happened in 2006 when Gruppo Campari bought Glen Grant.
Glen Grant is the third biggest malt producer around, right after Glenfiddich and Macallan. Glenlivet comes in at a close fourth behind Glen Grant. The distillery also used the advantages of the river Spey, for its quality water.
The shapes of the stills are very important for Glen Grant. Extremely tall necks make the Whisky lighter. A special hump on the immediate section, creates a larger surface for the Whisky to touch. Glen Grant was one of the first distilleries to use pneumatic drum malting.
James and John Grant, both brothers, founded the distillery in 1840. They were once in the business of illegal distilling. When they wanted to get on the legal side with a license they decided to start with Glen Grant.
James 'The Major' Grant, nephew of John Grant, took control of the distillery in 1872. He was known to be an influential innovator. After his death in 1931, Glen Grant survived with the efforts of his three daughters.
The new successor turned out to be his grandson Douglas MacKessack. In 1952 or 1953 Glen Grant amalgamated with 'the mother' company of Glenlivet, to form Glenlivet & Glen Grant Distilleries Ltd.
Later on in 1972, this company merged with Longmorn-Glenlivet Ltd. and Hill Thompson & Co., leading The Glenlivet Distillers to take over.
Years later, Seagram bought Glenlivet and Glen Grant, just for a couple of years, until Seagram was bought by Diageo & Pernod Ricard. The final takeover happened in 2006 when Gruppo Campari bought Glen Grant.
Glen Grant is the third biggest malt producer around, right after Glenfiddich and Macallan. Glenlivet comes in at a close fourth behind Glen Grant. The distillery also used the advantages of the river Spey, for its quality water.
The shapes of the stills are very important for Glen Grant. Extremely tall necks make the Whisky lighter. A special hump on the immediate section, creates a larger surface for the Whisky to touch. Glen Grant was one of the first distilleries to use pneumatic drum malting.
Flavour Spiral™
About The Flavour Spiral
sherry
oak
fruit
vanilla
port
beer
caramel
nutty
malt
What does Glen Grant taste like?
The Flavour Spiral™ shows the most common flavours that you'll taste in Glen Grant Scotch. It's based on all Glen Grant drinks in our large database and gives you a chance to taste Glen Grant before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavour Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
The Flavour Spiral™ shows the most common flavours that you'll taste in Glen Grant Scotch. It's based on all Glen Grant drinks in our large database and gives you a chance to taste Glen Grant before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavour Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Distillery Details
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CountryUnited Kingdom, Scotland
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Region
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Established1840
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OwnerGruppo Campari
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TypeSingle malt
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Number of stills8
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Visitor centerYes
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StatusActive
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AddressGlen Grant Distillery Elgin Road Rothes Moray AB38 7BS United Kingdom
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Phone+44 1340 832118
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Website
Dog Dogson's
Smartass
Corner
Corner
James 'The Major' Grant was a great innovator. He was the first man in Highlands to own a car. He made Glen Grant the first distillery with electricity.
The light style of Glen Grant is a result of purifiers that The Major installed. The tall stills and the purifier also resulted in the light color.
Scottish violinist Scott Skinner composed music for the violin, as a tribute to the distillery. The Strathspey (a lively Scottish dance) titled “Glen Grant” was composed on the 24 of April, 1909.
The light style of Glen Grant is a result of purifiers that The Major installed. The tall stills and the purifier also resulted in the light color.
Scottish violinist Scott Skinner composed music for the violin, as a tribute to the distillery. The Strathspey (a lively Scottish dance) titled “Glen Grant” was composed on the 24 of April, 1909.
About
Speyside
Glens a plenty, history in abundance - that's Speyside.
The most densely populated Whisky region in the world sits in a fertile valley of rivers and glens. Home to over half of Scotland’s distilleries, malts from these fifty or so Speyside distilleries are hard to summarize, as there's a lot of flavour variety.
One thing we can say is that they're known for being frugal with peat and lavish with nutty fruit flavours. Apple, pear, honey, vanilla and spice all have a part to play in the Speyside Whiskies. Speyside Whisky also knows its way around a Sherry cask.
The most densely populated Whisky region in the world sits in a fertile valley of rivers and glens. Home to over half of Scotland’s distilleries, malts from these fifty or so Speyside distilleries are hard to summarize, as there's a lot of flavour variety.
One thing we can say is that they're known for being frugal with peat and lavish with nutty fruit flavours. Apple, pear, honey, vanilla and spice all have a part to play in the Speyside Whiskies. Speyside Whisky also knows its way around a Sherry cask.
Video from Glen Grant
Video transcription
I was just reading about the improvements at Glen Grant. I am major James Grant of Rothes. And a maritime sole proprietor of the Glen Grant Distillery. At Glen Grant we created a Whisky that was longed, sought-after, revealed all over the world. Come and see the Glen Grant Distillery visitor center and coffee shop. Along with a tour around my Victorian Garden. Unleash your senses in the worthiest space ever.
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