Grant's whiskey: history, overview of taste and types + how to distinguish a fake
One of the most popular brands of blended whiskey in the world attracts attention at the first meeting. An unusual triangular bottle of Scotch emphasizes the uniqueness and noble character of the drink.
The legendary product is produced at the family-owned company William Grant & Sons", located in the Western Highlands of Scotland.
History of the Grants brand
The first bottle of scotch under the Grants brand went on sale in 1898. The distillery itself was launched in 1887.
Before he became the founder of the legendary brand, William Grant managed to try several occupations (from cow herding to accounting), and all the while he never stopped dreaming of creating the best whiskey in the valley.
It is unknown what the hard-working businessman would have achieved if not for the active help of his family.
However, the sons, daughters and their husbands have been a great support on Grant's path to success, helping him with everything from purchasing equipment and making drinks to organizing sales.
The first seller of the branded whiskey was William's son-in-law, who called about two dozen buyers before one of them became interested in the product.
From its inception to the present day, the company has remained virtually the only major Scottish scotch producer to preserve family business traditions.
For more than a hundred years at the helm of William Grant & Sons" managed to change 5 generations of the legendary family name.
The year 1905 turned out to be significant for the company, when William's son John Grant decided to open a representative office in Canada, thereby marking the beginning of the distribution of Scotch whisky in North America.
The second brother Charles, in search of markets, went first to the East and then to Northern Europe, as a result of which the company had agencies in 30 countries.
Today, the company's assortment includes many famous brands, such as single malt "Glenfiddich" and "The Balvenie", gin "Hendrick’s, Reyka vodka, Milagro tequila, etc.
However, the most famous and titled is Grant's whiskey, a drink that has preserved the old recipe and has received more than fifty industry awards.
Features of Grants scotch production
The secret of the famous scotch's popularity lies in the unique technology developed by William Grant and carefully preserved by the company's specialists.
Blenders play an important role, as they rarely change and pass on the subtleties of their craft to each other.
The process of creating Grants whiskey includes:
Vacuum distillation of the wort, which allows to separate the "lightest" alcohols and obtain subtle, delicate flavors.
The use of about 30 varieties of malt whiskey and several types of grain whiskey from different regions of Scotland in blends.
The most striking components are aged single malt spirits Glenfiddich and Balvenie.
The first gives the bouquet notes of peach and oak, the second brings the sweetness of nuts and cinnamon flavor. Girvan grain whiskey provides softness to the drinks.
Long-term aging of the scotch in special burnt barrels.
Some of the containers are made by the company's own team of cooperators from different types of wood: American, Portuguese, European oak.
Each material gives the drinks its own accents: vanilla, smoke, dried fruits, spices, etc.
Sherry, bourbon and ale containers are also used for the maturation of whiskey.
Bottled in recognizable triangular bottles that demonstrate the quality and beautiful shade of the drink.
The unusual design of the vessels was developed in 1957 by Hans Schleger.
This design not only emphasizes elegance, but also simplifies storage and transportation of products.
Overview of Grants' taste and types
Grant’s Triple Wood Whisky
The drink is aged in barrels made of three types of wood to obtain a balanced taste.
Aroma: complex, clean, with notes of ripe pear and summer fruits.
Taste: smooth, with a mild malt hint, sweet vanilla tones and a light smoky trail.
Grant’s Triple Wood Smoky Whisky
Whiskey is a variation of the previous drink with a more pronounced peaty aftertaste and a bright smoky aroma.
Nose: rich, velvety, with notes of sweet fruits, malt, toasted almonds and citrus.
Grant’s Ale Cask Edition Whisky
Scotch aged in ale barrels, which give it a rich creamy and fruity flavor.
Predominant flavors: elderberry, heather, maple syrup, red apples, honey, oak, citrus fruits.
Grant’s Rum Cask Edition Whisky
Maturation in rum barrels gives the drink sweetness and a long aftertaste.
The bouquet has the most noticeable accents of malt, banana, tropical fruits, vanilla, sweet spices.
Grant’s 8 Year Old Sherry Cask Edition Whisky
The drink is aged for 8 years in sherry casks.
The aroma harmoniously combines notes of green apple, flowers, vanilla and spices.
The taste surprises with its depth and sweetness. Pronounced malt notes, hints of dried fruit and wood spices.
Grant's 8 Year Old Whisky
A whiskey born under a "lucky number": 8 years of aging resulted in one of the best drinks of the manufacturer.
The fragrance is characterized by notes of green apple, cherry, soft vanilla, fresh citrus, spices.
The taste is characterized by the sweetness of caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, playfulness of wood spices, a light warming hint of smoke.
Deep malt notes give the bouquet softness and completeness.
Grant's’s Rare 18 Year Old Whisky
A luxurious drink with a multifaceted, deep flavor.
Main notes: honey, spices, nuts, fruits.
The aftertaste is silky, long and enveloping.
Grant’s 25 Year Old Whisky
Whiskey for special occasions.
Dominant aromas: peach blossoms, leather, cinnamon, ginger.
The finish is fresh, sweet, exciting, with hints of spices.
Grant’s Signature Whisky
Light drink with vanilla, candied fruit, caramel and spices flavor.
Taste: crispy and fresh at first, then malty, warming with sweetness.
Main notes: cream, vanilla, coconut, spices.
Grant’s Master Blender’s Edition Whisky
A special product dedicated to the company's blending masters.
The scotch aroma is slightly spicy, with notes of vanilla, cloves, honey, malted barley.
The taste is smooth, balanced, with oak tones, honey sweetness, hints of vanilla and chocolate.
The aftertaste is long, warm, with accents of spices and cocoa beans.
Grant’s Select Reserve Whisky
Elegant scotch with a delicate sweet and smoky flavor.
The taste combines apple and pear notes with hints of peach, cream and vanilla.
The aftertaste is refined, delicate, with a slight hint of smoke.
Grant’s Family Reserve Whisky
A drink that has received several international awards.
Aroma: complex, clean, with notes of sweet pear and summer fruits.
Taste: balanced, floral and vanilla with tones of malt and peat.
How to distinguish a fake Grants
Thanks to the original bottle, Grants whiskey is less likely to be counterfeited than other well-known brands.
Nevertheless, it will not be superfluous to carefully examine your future purchase for authenticity:
The label should be applied smoothly, without traces of glue, mistakes in the names, and fuzzy printing.
An excise stamp is mandatory for quality alcohol.
The consistency of real scotch is thick, oily, without sediment and impurities.
The color is beautiful: gold, amber or honey.
Large bubbles form when shaken and do not burst for a long time.
The triangular bottle of some drinks has convex inscriptions: "Since 1887", "1887" - in the upper part, "Wm Grant & Sons" - at the bottom.
The lid must also be signed.
You can find the original design of specific products on the manufacturer's website.
The price of original Scotch whisky should not be low.
It is better to buy an exclusive drink in a specialized store where you can study the certificate of authenticity.
Update: 02.02.2019
Category: Whiskey and Bourbon