The Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled The Glasshouse Collection: a new prestige range featuring the oldest aged expressions ever in the distillery’s permanent collection.
The Glen Grant 21-Year-Old is joined by The Glen Grant 25-Year-Old and 30-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to form a collection of rare single malts which celebrate the ageing of whiskies from the 180-year-old distillery.
The Glasshouse Collection, comprising three rare single malt whiskies, was created from the legacy of The Glen Grant’s forefather James 'The Major' Grant and captures the essence of his Glasshouse.
An avid traveller, ‘The Major’ travelled to destinations around the world – from Southern Africa to the peaks of the Himalayas.
With every adventure, he collected flowers and plants, bringing them back to Scotland and his vast Victorian-inspired glasshouse, built in 1886.
Each of the new whisky expressions reflects a distinct time of day, from the first light of dawn until the moonlit night, using the light inside the glasshouse as a metaphor for the character of each whisky.
The launch of this new collection marks a significant milestone for The Glen Grant, as master distiller Dennis Malcolm OBE approaches his retirement after over six decades in the Scotch whisky industry.
The Glasshouse Collection will be the last whiskies to be released under Dennis’ stewardship, but his legacy will be upheld and honoured by his successor Greig Stables, who has worked closely with Dennis over the last 18 years and played a pivotal role in the creation of the new collection.
Greig Stables said: “Working alongside Dennis for nearly two decades has been an incredible journey and I’m deeply grateful for his insight and guidance.
“As I become master distiller, I carry with me the lessons learned and the guiding vision imparted on this journey. I’m honoured to lead The Glen Grant into this new chapter and am excited and enthused for what is to come.
“Now as we introduce these rare and aged whiskies, I am thrilled we can showcase how exceptionally The Glen Grant spirit ages over time, maintaining its character and integrity. In honour of the launch and the legacy of Dennis, I’d like to raise a toast to him with our Double Gold award-winning 25-year-old.”
The character of the three whiskies, 21-, 25-, and 30-Year-Old, represent a journey through the cycle of daylight within the Glasshouse and showcase the ageing potential of The Glen Grant spirit.
First light: The Glen Grant 21-Year-Old represents the first light in the Glasshouse, capturing the delicate and ethereal quality of the early morning light. This expression embodies a fresh and vibrant character with an explosion of tropical fruits, creamy butter notes, and a crème brûlée finish. It is bottled at 46% ABV, is natural in colour, and non-chill filtered.
Golden hour: With 25 years of ageing, The Glen Grant 25-Year-Old is bottled at 46% ABV, natural in colour, and non-chill filtered, this expression embodies the evocative and aromatic warmth reminiscent of the sun gently setting over the Glasshouse during the golden hour. With rich flavours of dark chocolate, zesty orange, oak, and nutmeg, culminating in a finish of warm spice with a subtle hint of soft smoke.
Twilight: The Glen Grant 30-Year Old, available at the end of this year, is a rare whisky with intricate layers of oak, hints of nectarine, honey, and dried fruit. Bottled at 48% ABV, natural in colour, and non-chill filtered, 30-Year-Old represents the cool tones of moonlight wash over the Glasshouse.
Each whisky in The Glasshouse Collection is matured in American oak bourbon barrels and Oloroso Sherry casks within the distillery’s oldest traditional stone dunnage warehouse.
The Glen Grant’s signature taller-necked copper stills and water-cooling purifiers create the distinct and delicate essence of zesty green apples for which The Glen Grant is known.
To mark the launch of this release, The Glen Grant has partnered with artist Lachlan Turczan, to create a new installation titled “A Day in the Glasshouse” through his immersive series, ‘Optical Resonance’.
Turczan’s innovative sculptures utilise light and water, a fundamental component of the distillation process, to create mesmerising reflections.
Lachlan Turczan said: "My exploration of The Glen Grant Glasshouse Collection is rooted in my art practice exploring liquid light phenomena.
“I was inspired by the fascinating history of James 'The Major' Grant, whose travels and passion for preservation echo my own interests. With ‘Optical Resonance’ I aimed to highlight the nuances of changing light throughout the day, paired with each whisky.
“From the gentle ripples of dawn embodied the 21-Year-Old to the mesmerising cymatic patterns of the moonlit 30-Year-old, my water and light sculptures offer an immersive sensory experience that invites enthusiasts to experience the confluence of art, science, and world-renowned whisky craftsmanship.”
The Glen Grant 21-Year-Old, RRP £250, is currently available widely in the UK, while The Glen Grant 25-Year-Old, RRP £734, will be available exclusively at Berry Bros & Rudd and online from 14 June – 11 July after which it will be available at a wider selection of retailers.
The Glen Grant 30-Year-Old will be released later this year.
