Glen Grant’s 30 YO Jewel Is A Whisky Of Distinction – 1v1 Video Chat & LIve Streaming & Influencer Subscription

By Campari Group Contributor Joseph V Micallef

The Glen Grant 30 YO is the latest addition to the Glasshouse range
Photo, courtesy The Glen Grant

The Glen Grant Distillery, one of Scotland’s most iconic whisky producers, has introduced a 30-year-old single malt Scotch whisky. This new release is the latest in its Glasshouse Collection. Previously, a 21-year-old and a 25-year-old single malt Scotch whisky were launched. The 30-year-old expression showcases Glen Grant’s craftsmanship at its finest, demonstrating the distillery’s dedication to quality. Below is a brief overview of the Glen Grant Distillery, along with tasting notes for this exceptional 30-year-old single malt Scotch whisky.

The Glen Grant Distillery: A Whisky History

The Glen Grant Distillery, a vital part of Scotland’s whisky heritage, is steeped in history and tradition. Located in the picturesque town of Rothes in the Speyside region, it was founded in 1840 by the visionary brothers John and James Grant. Their steadfast passion for making exceptional whisky established the foundation for the distillery’s distinguished legacy.

Glen Grant quickly established itself as an important player in the whisky industry, and it was among the first distilleries to legally produce and sell Scotch whisky.

In 1872, James Grant Jr., also known as “The Major,” took over the distillery, and under his leadership, Glen Grant became renowned for its distinctive aroma and taste profile, which has continued to this day.

“The Major” introduced tall, slender stills and purifiers, creating Glen Grant’s trademark, unique, light, and elegant spirit. These innovations have contributed to Glen Grant’s reputation for producing elegant, smooth whiskies that are easy to drink yet complex.

Glen Grant is also notable for its beautiful Victorian Gardens, which attract visitors worldwide. The distillery and gardens remain an iconic part of the town of Rothes, providing a glimpse into both the heritage of whisky-making and the lifestyle of 19th-century Scotland and its whisky barons.

Over the 20th century, ownership of Glen Grant passed through several hands before eventually being acquired by Campari Group in 2006. Campari focused on expanding Glen Grant’s production capacity and broadening its global distribution.

Glen Grant’s whisky has been a favorite of specialty bottlers like Gordon & MacPhail, Signatory, and Duncan Taylor, among others. It has proven remarkably versatile, lending itself to a range of cask finishes and maturation strategies, offering diverse aroma and taste profiles.

Today, Glen Grant is one of the few distilleries to produce expressions across a wide range of age statements. It is particularly famous for its older single malts, which emphasize complexity and Speyside elegance while remaining faithful to the timeless Glen Grant style.

The Glen Grant distillery in Rothes.
Photo, courtesy The Glen Grant

Glen Grant, Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 30 YO, 46% ABV, 750 ml.

The whisky is a deep, rich mahogany with deep golden highlights.

It’s incredibly complex and layered on the nose, featuring a mix of fresh and dried fruits, including plums, prunes, raisins, and blackberries. There are additional notes of caramel, honey, burnt sugar, and molasses, along with hints of tobacco, dark chocolate, and rancio notes of leather and furniture wax. The oak influence highlights spice box aromas of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, a hint of ginger, and some cedar cigar box aromas.

This 30-year-old expression is smooth, flavorful, and rich on the palate, with an oily viscosity and full-bodied robustness that envelops the mouth. It features flavors of caramel, burnt sugar molasses, and a blackcurrant-like earthiness, accompanied by toasted oak, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. There are notes of bitter dark chocolate, espresso, dried orange zest, raisins, and dried figs. The oak tannins are pronounced, giving the whisky structure and complexity, while rancio hints of leather and furniture wax offer additional layers of flavor.

The finish is exceptionally long, featuring a layered combination of oak spice, dark chocolate, dried fruits, and lingering notes of black pepper and toasted nuts.

The 30-year-old is the pinnacle of the Glasshouse range, offering an incredible blend of layered, nuanced complexity, richness, and a flavorful drinking experience, while beautifully balancing sweetness, dried fruit, wood spices, and mature oak influences.

This expression showcases Glen Grant’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The whisky is well-suited for special occasions, best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to open the intricate layers of flavor that have developed over time. It’s nuanced, layered complexity, its depth, elegance, and sophistication mark it as a Whisky of Distinction.