GLEN GRANT DISTILLERY

Situated along the banks of the River Spey, the Glen Grant Distillery was founded in 1840 by John and James Grant, who had previously been employed at the Aberlour Distillery. Glen Grants unique location it enjoyed access to fresh water from the river, a steady supply of barley from the surrounding farmland and access to transportation from the nearby port of Garmouth allowed it proposer quickly. By 1872, however, both John and James Grant had passed away, and James Grant Jr. James son and Johns nephew inherited the distillery. The younger Grant, known simply as "the Major," quickly proved himself a worthy successor.The Major was a legendary inventor, womanizer and traveller he was the first person in the Scottish Highlands to own a car and his distillery was the first in Scotland to enjoy electricity. In addition, the Major designed and equipped Glen Grant distillery with the tall, slender stills and purifiers that allowed Glen Grant to produce whisky that was noticeably lighter and more delicate as compared to its Scottish brethren. Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from crisp, Scottish barley, much of it still harvested from the same Morayshire fields that John and James Grant used nearly two centuries ago.Once the barley has been malted and mashed, it is fermented in washbacks made of Oregon Pine. While wooden washbacks are more expensive and difficult to maintain as compared to stainless steel washbacks, they absorb more heat generated during the fermentation process and thus, create a lighter and more rich whisky. Following fermentation, the wash is twice distilled, first through Glen Grants copper-pot wash still and then again through its spirit still. Each still is equipped with a purifier, which acts as small condenser and causes a portion of the evaporating vapors to be pumped back into the pot and then re-distilled. This purification process Glen Grant in the only distillery in Scotland to use purifiers in both distillations results in whisky that has a signature fresh and malty flavor.Glen Grant 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Signatory Bottling) was distilled on April 22, 1997 and matured for 5,600 days, or just over 15 years, in a used hogshead cask that was hand-selected by Dennis Malcolm, one of just eight Glent Grant master distillers in the past 125 years. Malcolm, who began apprenticing at the distillery as a cooper when he was just 15 years old, has over five decades of experience distilling and maturing whisky. "We dont believe in rushing things at Glen Grant," he says. "We allow nature to take its time to do its work." On August 21, 2012, the maturing whisky was bottled without the use of any artificial coloring at 86 proof.Glen Grant 15 Year Old Single Malt has a golden honey color, along with an aroma of sweet malt, vanilla, whipped cream and toffee. Notes of orange zest and citrus dominate the palate, and are balanced by a touch of cloves, oak spices and ginger. The finish is long and smooth, with a hint of creamy butter.Only 386 bottles of Glen Grant 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Signatory Bottling) were ever produced. Pick up a bottle today!