Glen GrantWhisky Distillery
The Glen Grant Distillery |
A Pale Whisky. A Colourful History. It began in 1823, when
illicit whisky distilling was rife throughout Scotland. Around
half of the whisky sold at that time came from unlicensed
distilleries. Founded by two former illegal distillers and
smugglers with the vision and ambition to establish what is
today one of the most famous and most popular single malt
whiskies in the world. Glen
Grant makes one of the most surprising whiskies in the world.
Single malt that's clear in colour with a distinctively crisp,
fresh taste that has made it one of the world's favorite.
In 1840, brothers John and James Grant decided to take out
a licence. 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. Best
of all, this time the distillery was legal!
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 ‘Glengrant’
from his uncle John Grant, he was to prove himself a worthy
successor.
Stories about ‘The Major’ abound. 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 was 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.
In 1931, Major Grant, the last Glengrant, died, survived by
his three daughters and a distillery that had become one of
the most famous in the world. Douglas MacKessack, his grandson,
was to become his successor.
In 1972, the Glenlivet
and Glen Grant Distilleries Ltd amalgamated with the blending
concerns of Hill, Thomson and Co.Ltd and Longmorn Distilleries
Ltd to become The Glenlivet Distillers Ltd. The original family
interest in the distilleries was maintained, with two substantial
outside shareholders: Courage Ltd, the brewing concern and
Suntory Ltd, the Japanese distilling company.
In 2006, Campari acquired Glen Grant, its only whisky, when
Allied Domecq was acquired by Pernod Ricard. To this day,
Glen Grant continues to be one of the biggest selling single
malts worldwide.
And
so the Glen Grant story will continue, as long as there are
people on Speyside with the skill and determination to maintain
the standards and traditions of the Grant family and their
descendents.
Today, 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. Whatever
the season, a walk in Glen Grant Garden is always a pleasure.
If any ghosts wander the grounds of Glen Grant Distillery,
they must be those of the elegant guests who stayed at Glen
Grant House in the closing years of the 19th century. Stroll
through these grounds today and it’s easy to imagine
the vision of ladies in delicate silks and lace and gentlemen
in evening dress. The Major would impress his friends by pouring
a dram for all to enjoy with a splash of sparkling cold water
direct from the burn.
The garden includes an extraordinary diversity of plants,
from rhododendrons, Scots Pines, Douglas Fir, holly and ivy,
apple and cherry orchards, primulas, iris, roses, beech trees,
Japanese maples, the spectacular Brazilian marshland plant
Gunnera manicata and of course, a variety of hothouse flowers
and fruits.
How We Make Glen Grant
The difference, distilled.... Quite simply, our whisky is
a combination of highland spring water, heat, malted barley
and yeast, experience and a dedication to what we do. No tricks
or gimmicks. Just a time-honoured process we've perfected
over centuries.
So
what makes our whisky so distinctively different? We have
James 'The Major' Grant to thank for that. The light, yet
complex spirit we produce is the result of the tall slender
stills and special purifiers he introduced over a century
ago and are still used to this day. He knew his customers
were looking for an alternative to the heavy, assertive whiskies
but unlike many other whisky makers, he wasn't prepared to
compromise by developing a blend.
Glen
Grant's unique colour develops as it is stored carefully in
oak casks and matures over time, creating clear, fresh, natural
whisky, with a single malt taste. Just as it should be.
Visting the Glen Grant Distillery
Opening times
April to October (inclusive) Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 5pm
(last tour 4pm) Sunday 12pm - 5pm (last tour 4pm)
Admission
Admission charge is £3.50 for the Glen Grant Distillery
and Victorian Garden. Children under 18 years old are free
of charge. Children under the age of 8 are not admitted to
the production areas, but are welcome in the visitor center
and garden.
Disabled
Access
Access to the visitor center, stillroom and Major Grant's
study. During the summer months, a chauffeur-driven buggy
will whisk you up to the garden for your dram.
Travel Information
The Glen Grant Distillery is easily accessible from either
Aberdeen or Inverness airports. It is located on the north
end of the village of Rothtes about 10 miles south of Elgin
on the A941 Grantown-on-Spey road.
Getting
There
At
the north end of Rothes on the A491, at the roundabout (for
the Americans please read traffic circle). The bus service
from Elgin passes nearby. Buses
from Elgin stop 100 meters from the distillery.
Parking
/ Reception - Park on the right -disabled parking straight
ahead in the courtyard. There is a lovely approach through
the woods and access the burn to the splendid visitor center.
It is light and airy with a modern style. At reception, shop
display and sales are in one place which can result in congestion.
Contact
Us
Glen
Grant Distillery
Rothes, Aberlour
Scotland AB38 7BS
Tel: +44 01340 832103
Fax: +44 01340 832104
Email: Glen
Grant Distillery
From
the moment it was created in 1840, the clean and distinctive
taste and pale golden colour of Glen Grant have set it apart
from other single malt Scotch whiskies. The vision of one
extraordinary individual is what makes Glen Grant clearly
different from any other whisky. James Grant, known simply
as "The Major", was only 25 when he set about achieving
his vision of a pure malt with a clear colour. A legendary
socialiser and innovator, he was a modern man born before
his time. 
