Glen Grant

Well known for their light and apple fresh character since "The Major".

History of Glen Grant whisky distillery

Glen Grant is a distillery founded in 1840 in Rothes, in the Speyside region of Scotland. Glen Grant distillery was founded in 1840, by brothers John and James Grant, two former illegal distillers and smugglers who decided to take out a license and go legal. They had the port of Garmouth nearby for trade, the River Spey for water, and fields of barley, all the basic ingredients of malt whisky were nearby. 

In 1872, James ‘The Major’ Grant inherited the business and the title ‘Glengrant’ from his uncle John Grant, he was to prove himself a worthy successor. James had always shown a keen interest in whisky distilling, so this was likely an exciting moment for him.

There are lots of stories about ‘The Major’. He was an innovator, socialiser and traveller, who lived by his own rules. 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.

Today Glen Grant is owned by Campari Group, who bought the distillery in 2006.  While Campari have a range of spirit companies in their portfolio, including rum and American whiskey, Glen Grant is their only single malt scotch whisky brand.

Whisky from Glen Grant

Glen Grant have a range of core age statements and non age statements as well as a range of limited editions.  Single cask Glen Grants can be exceptional, and the pure spirit makes it suited to long term maturations.

The tall slender stills and purifiers that innovator 'The Major' installed continue to give Glen Grant the consistent profile, fresh malty flavour and clear colour that typifies Glen Grant.

Buy a cask of Glen Grant whisky

The Single Cask has some great Glen Grant casks in our warehouses.  If you're interested in buying a cask of Glen Grant, please contact us today for a free, no obligation quote.  We can also offer a range of bottling services, making the whole process of creating your very own whisky easy.

Sell a cask of Glen Grant whisky

The Single Cask has a great history of buying and bottling single cask Glen Grant whisky.  Often we buy our casks direct from the distillery, but we are also pleased to buy Glen Grant casks from private individuals.  If you have a Glen Grant cask that you're looking to sell, please contact us today for a free, no obligation, quote on how much we could pay you for your cask.

Glen Grant distillery details