Glen Grant – 18 Year Old Rare Edition (70cl, 43%)

Glen Grant – 18 Year Old Rare Edition is a whisky from Glen Grant (Speyside). Aged 18 years, bottled at 43% ABV, 70cl. Glen Grant distillery was founded in 1840 by brothers James and John Grant, in 1861 they were the first to install electric light in the distillery. John Grant increased the original pair of stills to a quartet in the late 19th century. A new stillhouse with a further two were added in 1973 and another four installed there in 1977. In 1983, the old stillhouse was closed and two larger stills were put into the new stillhouse, now giving them eight. The main driver of a lighter style spirit is the shape of the stills, which have almost square boil bulbs, which increase copper surface significantly. They are also fitted with purifying chambers in the lyne arm, which act as a pre-condenser, refluxing back heavy elements which are carried down a purifier pipe back into the body of the still. It remains the biggest selling single malt in Italy and in 2006 the distillery was bought from Pernod Ricard - who were facing criticism from EU authorities for their monopoly in the spirits market - by Campari for €115 million. Please note minor tearing to box.