Glen Grant Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm

Biography

Dennis Malcolm seems to have been destined for his role as Master Distiller for Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. His connection with Glen Grant began on the very day he was born as he first entered the world on the distillery grounds in 1946.

Dennis’ long history with Glen Grant has developed over the years as his passion for its single malts has grown. He now has almost 50 years of experience in the whisky industry after beginning his career at Glen Grant in 1961 as an apprentice cooper.

Over the years Dennis has gained a wealth of experience as Distillery Manager for Glen Grant, Glenlivet and others, as well as being a Brand Ambassador for Strathisla Distillery where he became involved with introducing VIPs and guests to the world of scotch whisky.

Today, Dennis manages and directs Glen Grant for Gruppo Campari with uncommon passion and unrivalled knowledge of the industry. He is also an incomparable tour guide through Glen Grant’s distillery and splendid gardens which he illustrates with anecdotes delivered with a twinkle in his eye and a charismatic Scottish brogue.

Following in the footsteps of the Grant family, famous for being pillars in their local community, Dennis is also a leading figure in Glen Grant’s historical site of Rothes, Scotland. An appointed Justice of Peace, Convenor in his local Church and member of the local school board, Dennis is involved at all levels of the town’s leadership.

When not at Glen Grant, in the courts, church or school, Dennis enjoys gardening, golfing and caravanning.

Glen Grant Q&A

Q. Can you describe the taste of the 25 Year Old?
A. The new 25 Year Old single malt boasts an intensely, rich palate with an array of deeply fruity flavors. It features soft sultana notes, sweet Oloroso Sherry aromas, inter laced with hints of heather honey and a powerful long, lingering finish. In contrast to the distillery’s customary clear, light gold single malts, the 25 year old boasts a deeper, more intense dark amber brown colour – a result of careful cultivation in sherry oak casks at the 170 year old distillery, where it matures over time to create a fresh and natural Single Malt Scotch whisky.

Q. Why was the decision made to launch the 25 Year Old in France and Asia Duty Free?
A: France is the biggest market for whiskies in the world and is also Glen Grant’s second best selling market, globally. Duty Free is the third biggest market in the world for single malts sales, and Asia as the fast growing region is an ideal platform for high quality whiskies and Limited Edition products, with highly discerning consumers purchasing.

Glen Grant has been deemed a major factor behind the growth of the Single Malt segment in France, with a very loyal consumer base who appreciates the light, fruit and floral profile of Glen Grant. To thank them, we wanted to offer them this new 25 Year Old edition, which is truly unique to them.

Q: When will the 25 Year Old be available to purchase?
A: The 25 Year Old is launching at the beginning of summer 2011. Following the event, it will be available nationwide in France and through Asian Duty Free outlets from late June in specialist whisky outlets.

Q: What is the typical alcohol content of the 25 Year Old?
A: The 25 Year Old single malt has a typical ABV (alcohol by volume) of 43%.

Q: What is the alcohol content of other Glen Grant’s single malt scotch whiskies?
A: Here is the alcohol by volume for Glen Grant’s single malt scotch whiskies:
• 16 Year Old, 43%
• 10 Year Old, 40%
• Major’s Reserve, 40%
• the 1992 Cellar Reserve, 46%
• 170th Anniversary Limited Edition, 46%*

* For Limited Editions extension the exact alcohol by volume is defined case by case.

Q: Why add a 25 Year Old single malt to the range?
A: The 25 Year Old extends the range of Glen Grant’s single malt scotch whiskies and offers French and Asian Duty Free whisky connoisseurs a new expression to enjoy. It has a more intensely fruity flavour and a softer palate. In general, having a range of aged expressions is extremely important, to effectively expand globally and compete internationally in the single malt segment.

Q: How would you describe Glen Grant’s Single Malt Scotch whiskies?
A: Glen Grant’s whiskies are distinctive for their bright colour, easy drinking quality, ripe orchard fruit taste, and their soft, almond finish.

Q: Can you make cocktails with Glen Grant’s Single Malts?
A: Glen Grant’s elegant, light taste is best enjoyed undiluted by other spirits or mixers. Try adding a splash of spring water, just as Glen Grant’s own James ‘The Major’ Grant did.

Q: How is Glen Grant made?
A: Quite simply, Glen Grant is a combination of highland spring water, heat, malted barley and yeast, experience and utmost dedication. No tricks or gimmicks, just a time-honoured process that has been perfected over generations. The light, yet complex spirit is the result of the tall slender stills and special purifiers James ‘The Major’ Grant introduced over a century ago and are still used to this day. He knew his customers were looking for an alternative to the heavy, assertive whiskies but unlike many other whisky makers, he wasn’t prepared to compromise by developing a blend. Glen Grant’s unique colour develops as it is stored carefully in oak casks and matures over time, creating clear, fresh, natural single malt scotch whisky.

Q: How is the process different for the 25 year old?
A: The 25 Year Old is produced in exactly the same way as all Glen Grant single malt scotch whiskies. However, iIt is aged over 25 years in a unique selection of sherry casks to produce its dried fruit, honeyed notes.

Q: How much will the 25 year old cost to buy?
A: The 25 year old has a projected retail price of 200 Euros.

Q: What are the differences between each of the single malts?
A: Each single malt has its own unique colour, palate and finish. Each expression is aged in carefully selected casks to create its unique flavour. All the single malts share the clear, bright golden Glen Grant colour, though each has its own tone, and the Glen Grant rich, fruity, easy drinking taste.

MARKETING

Q: What makes Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch whiskies distinctive?
A: Glen Grant’s whiskies are distinctive for their easy drinking quality, bright, clear golden colour and seductively smooth, fruity, rich taste. Glen Grant’s tradition of innovation began in 1840, the year it was founded. Its unique distillation process was invented by James ‘The Major’ Grant. It is distilled in tall, slender stills, which, coupled with its unique purifiers, ensure that only the smoothest and softest spirits go on to become Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch whisky.

Q: Where is the 25 Year Old produced?
A: Glen Grant is produced at the Glen Grant Distillery, founded in 1840, in Rothes, Speyside, Scotland.

Q: Where is Glen Grant most successful?
Glen Grant is most successful in Italy, France, Germany and Spain.

Q: Is the 25 Year Old Single Malt designed to appeal to a different consumer?
A: The 25 Year Old was created to offer a new, more intensely fruity and floral expression of Glen Grant to connoisseurs. Expressions aged over 12 years generally appeal to a connoisseur market, who prefer a more assertive taste. However, the 25 Year Old will also appeal to every day whisky drinkers thanks to the smooth finish that Glen Grant whiskies are famous for. The gift market will also be important for the 25 Year Old.

Q: Does a 25 Year Old Single Malt mean a superior flavour?
A: Glen Grant is extremely proud of all its elegant, easy drinking single malt whiskies, the 25 Year Old expression offers a more intense, fruity and honeyed palate and a long, lingering finish. A superior flavour of malt comes from the quality of spirit that is aged, the casks it is placed in and the flavour that these casks give the whisky. An aged single malt means a different, not superior, flavour.

Q: What is the difference between a single malt and a blend?
A: A single malt is a malt that has come from just one distillery. Each single malt has its own distinctive, unique taste, colour and finish. A blend is made from a mix of single malts, but typically just 20-30% of a blend is these single malts. The rest of the spirit is made quickly from wheat and maize. A blended malt is typically an easy drinking whisky; Glen Grant Single Malts were created to offer an easy drinking quality without the compromise of a blend.

Q: Who owns Glen Grant?
A: Glen Grant has been part of Gruppo Campari since 2006.