Glen Grant has been producing magnificent single malt whiskies since the 1840s. In all that time, the legendary Speyside Scotch whisky producer has added nothing as old as The Glasshouse Collection, a trio of elegant whiskies aged 21 to 30 years to its permanent range. Each one enters the bottle as an example of the brand’s rich, ripe fruit flavours. Together, they form the farewell song for master distiller Dennis Malcolm, who recently announced his retirement after 63 years.
The new whiskies are inspired by one of Glen Grant’s 19th century ancestors, James Grant, nicknamed “The Major”. More specifically, they are a throwback to the Victorian glasshouse he built to showcase the exotic flowers and plants he continually brought back from his prolific travels around the world. The changing character of the three whiskies is conceived as a metaphorical journey through this eponymous conservatory.
Glen Grant 21 Year Old represents the first light to shine from the arboretum. A delicate 92-proof liquid offering a viscous texture with notes of papaya and mango. According to Malcolm, the expression encompasses a warmth similar to the illuminating sun.
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The second bottle is The Glen Grant 25-Year-Old. This one is rich with the plum and syrup notes you’d suspect from a Scotch that’s been spent in ex-sherry casks. Cocoa nibs with a dusting of coconut finish the long finish. At 96 proof, this robust liquid doesn’t look like a setting sun when poured into a glass.
Completing the collection is the Glen Grant 30-Year-Old, bottled at 96 proof. It stands out as the sweetest sipper of the three. A honey cream base is topped with dried apricots, juicy mandarin and a hint of molasses. The bottle represents a moonlit glasshouse. Unlike the first two, the 30-Year is not yet available for purchase. It will officially hit shelves in early 2025, making it the oldest age-stated whisky in Glen Grant’s core portfolio.
Courtesy of Glen Grant
Meanwhile, the 21-Year-Old can easily be found at retail for around $360 per bottle, while its 25-Year-Old sibling will cost you $1,000. When the 30-Year-Old hits the market, it will cost $3,000. If you want to get a head start on purchasing one, you can reach out to the distillery’s RARE Division sales team, which is managed through its parent company, Campari.
Whether you get your hands on one of Glasshouse’s releases or manage to complete the set, be sure to raise a glass to Sir Dennis Malcolm. After sixty years in space, he leaves the world of Scotch with a magnificent farewell party.
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