Glen Grant Distillery

John and James Grant founded Glen Grant in 1840, making it one of the earliest licensed distilleries in Rothes and among the oldest continuously operating in Speyside. From the outset the distillery was progressive: it was among the first to install electric lighting, the first to bring steam-powered rail transport to a Speyside distillery, and it pioneered the distinctive tall-necked still with purifier design that defines the Glen Grant spirit style to this day.

The towering figure of Major James Grant — nephew and inheritor of the distillery — shaped Glen Grant's character between 1872 and 1931. He created the Garden of Splendours, an elaborate walled Victorian garden stocked with plants gathered from his travels across Africa and beyond, and invested in the purifier still technology that lightened and brightened the spirit. His grandson Douglas Mackessack ran the distillery from 1931 to 1972.

In 1972 the distillery passed to The Glenlivet Distillers Ltd, which brought in Courage Ltd and Suntory Ltd as shareholders. The Seagram group later had involvement before the distillery changed hands again. Campari Group acquired Glen Grant in December 2005, making it the Italian company's flagship Scotch malt. Under Campari, the range has been significantly expanded and the visitor experience developed as a premium destination.

Glen Grant currently operates with 4 wash stills of 15,000 L capacity and 4 spirit stills of 9,600 L capacity, giving an annual production capacity of 5.9 million litres.

Water for Glen Grant comes from the Glen Grant burn running through the distillery estate. The distillery's defining production characteristic is its tall, slender pot stills — inspired by Major James Grant's innovations in the 19th century — fitted with purifier pipes that redirect heavier congeners back for re-distillation. This system deliberately strips the spirit of heavy oils and congeners, producing a clean, light, and fruity new make. With 4 wash stills (15,000 L each) and 4 spirit stills (9,600 L each), annual capacity reaches 5.9 million litres. Maturation relies primarily on American oak ex-bourbon casks for the core range.

Glen Grant is characteristically lighter and fresher than most Speyside malts — a deliberate result of the tall-necked stills and purifiers. Notes of green apple, pear, vanilla, and gentle floral sweetness dominate the younger expressions. The 10 Year Old is crisp and elegant; the 12 Year Old adds a little more body and richness; the 15 and 18 Year Old expressions develop toffee, hazelnut, and warm spice as the wood influence increases. This lighter style made Glen Grant enormously successful in Italy, where it has dominated single malt sales for decades.

Glen Grant has a dedicated visitor centre in Rothes — the only distillery in the town with a formal public attraction. The Victorian Garden of Splendours is open to visitors as part of the tour experience. A large tasting room and retail shop are on site. Glen Grant is a key stop on the Malt Whisky Trail. Online booking available via theglengrant.com.