Review | Glen Grant The Glasshouse Collection

The Speyside distillery of Glen Grant has revealed a new set of whiskies named The Glasshouse Collection. The trio represent the oldest permanent expressions to be released by the distillery. They also represent the final bottlings created by legendary Dennis Malcolm OBE, the legendary Master Distiller who is due to retire shortly after over 60 years at Glen Grant. 

The collection is inspired by James 'The Major' Grant - a key figure in Glen Grant's history. He was an avid plant collector and travelled the world during the Victorian era, bringing specimens back to Scotland to grow in a huge greenhouse that he built on the distillery grounds. The different names refer to how the light changes during the day in the glasshouse. 

Glen Grant is located in the small town of Rothes in the centre of the Speyside region of Scotland. The distillery was founded by James and John Grant in 1840, and the brothers decided to use their surname for the distillery name. Glen Grant remained in their direct ownership until 1872 when James died (John had died in 1864). The distillery was then inherited by James’ son, James Grant Jnr.

Glen Grant remained under the family ownership until Grant Jnr’s grandson, Major Douglas Mackessack, sold it to the Canadian group Seagrams in 1972. Following numerous subsequent takeovers, the Italian drinks company Gruppo Campari took control in 2006. They purchased the distillery and brand due to its popularity in the Italian market and re-launched the single malt range in 2007. The current production capacity of six million litres per year, making it one of the larger distilleries in Speyside.

The Glasshouse Collection consists of three whiskies and celebrates the enhanced ageing properties of Glen Grant. The Glen Grant 21 years old: First Light is bottled at 46% ABV as is the Glen Grant 25 years old: Golden Hour. The Glen Grant 30 years old: Twilight is bottled at 48% ABV. All are non-chill filtered and of natural colour, and have been matured in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon barrels and ex-Oloroso sherry casks, with the sherry cask influence increasing with age. This is 20%, 40% and 60% respectively.

The Glen Grant 21 years old and 25 years old are available in UK retailers now. They will £250 and £735 respectively. The Glen Grant 30 years old will appear later in 2024 with the retail price to be confirmed. The rumour is that it will be around £1,200. A wider world release for the collection is also expected at some point.

 

Our Tasting Notes

Glen Grant 21 years old: First Light

The nose is sweet and fruity with a distinct floral twist. Elegant aromas of stewed apple and caramelised peach are joined by vanilla, baking spices and milk chocolate. Further aromas of crème brûlée, raisin and hazelnut add to the depth. 

On the palate this whisky is soft, creamy and gentle. Notes of baked apple, vanilla custard and muscovado sugar kick things off and are followed by hints of ripe tropical fruits (think of pineapple and mango especially), plump sultana and juicy raisin. The crème brûlée from the nose is also evident and is joined by caramel, plus warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Later spices evolve and are reminiscent of white pepper and clove. Hints of cocoa powder and milk chocolate round everything off nicely. 

 

Glen Grant 25 years old: Golden Hour

The nose exhibits a lovely mix of sweet and spicy aromas – milk chocolate with raisin and sultana mingles with cinnamon, clove and ginger. There is a suggestion of bitter orange oils and fairground toffee apple that evolves to become more reminiscent of baked apple with butterscotch sauce. 

On the palate this whisky feels silky, velvety and luxurious. Baked apple and fresh honeycomb notes lead the way (the honey is like heather honey with a hint of manuka) and are quickly joined by sugary sultana and raisin. The baked apple note from the nose is prominent and is complimented by a delicious combination of mocha, praline and bitter orange oil. Later, some drying tannins and oaky spice develop – this gives a complex warmth and peppery quality with a hint of old cigar box and antique furniture shop. 

 

Glen Grant 30 years old: Twilight 

The nose is bold and decadent. Aromas of grilled peach, apricot jam and syrup sponge pudding are joined by baked apple and hints of treacle tart and Christmas cake. There are plenty of savoury aromas also – think of sandalwood, cigar tobacco and chamoix leather. 

On the palate this whisky is superbly velvety and opulent. Notes of bitter chocolate and espresso coffee are joined by a selection of stone fruit – imagine nectarine, peach and apricot. Demerara sugar, toffee and caramel are all evident as well as raisin, sultana and candied orange. A warmth develops with time, and this brings a selection of notes from the spice rack – think of allspice, mace, cinnamon bark, clove and nutmeg. These dusty spices are complimented by some drying oak and a hint of mint and menthol right at the end.