The Glen Grant
Interview – The Glen Grant Master Distiller Greig Stables
Master Distiller Greig Stables says The Glen Grant Exploration No.1 aims to engage a new generation of whisky drinkers
Congratulations on your new role as Master Distiller at The Glen Grant. Could you share more about your journey leading up to this appointment and what excites you the most about this new chapter?
Greig Stables: When I was young, I walked between two distilleries on my way to school, so I developed an early fascination with the scents and sounds of whisky-making. A few years later, I became a distillery guide after school, and that paved the way to my 30-year career in whisky.
Having spent the last 18 years at The Glen Grant, I am most passionate about serving as custodian of the over 180-year legacy of our whiskies. We’ve invested so much time and care in building a range that showcases the distinct character of The Glen Grant, and I’m really looking forward to now spending more time sharing these whiskies with fans from around the world.
The Glen Grant has a rich history and heritage. As the new Master Distiller, how are you balancing innovation and heritage in the creation of new whisky expressions moving forward?
One thing that excites me about the whisky industry is that it’s forever changing – through the span of my career I’ve seen the automation of the process among other advancements. Whisky will always be a forward-thinking industry, so something we’re prioritising is the reduction of water and gas consumption, driving the distillery’s decarbonisation while still innovating and creating exciting new whiskies. We’ve spent years investing in our inventory so that now, we can proudly offer an expanded range to appeal to whisky drinkers across all markets and tastes.
Passengers can interact with a digital tool to learn more about the limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky series
Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the latest The Glen Grant travel retail-exclusive expression and why the blend is ‘crafted for Asia’s explorers’.
The Exploration Series celebrates our forefather James ‘The Major’ Grant’s far-flung journeys across the world, which later inspired the singular character of The Glen Grant whiskies. The limited-edition series pays homage to the Major’s passion for discovery, with each edition exploring the unique flavours imparted from different cask finishes, offering a fresh perspective on The Glen Grant’s distinct profile.
Could you walk us through the unique production process that gives the expression its distinctive character?
Each whisky in The Glen Grant range is first defined at our distillery, where you’ll find uniquely tall, slender pot stills combined with water-cooling purifiers – an innovation designed by ‘The Major’ in the 1800s.
Using purifiers on both the wash and spirit stills ensures that only the very finest vapours are distilled and results in our lighter and more delicate new make spirit. It is this process that makes the spirits delicately aromatic with a vibrancy akin to zesty green apples, which ultimately defines the fruity character found at the heart of every The Glen Grant whisky.
For The Glen Grant Exploration Series, the whiskies are then finished in a unique cask type that brings out new flavours and characteristics we have not experimented with before. The Glen Grant Exploration No.1, the first in our series, is matured in bourbon barrels and then finished in rum casks, bringing a tropical influence of spice, rich dark sugar and ripe banana.
Asia is a diverse and dynamic market. What makes this release especially relevant and appealing to the region’s whisky enthusiasts and younger audiences?
The Glen Grant Exploration No.1 is uniquely placed to speak to a new generation of whisky enthusiasts. The limited-edition collection reflects a more adventurous spirit of discovery that resonates strongly with consumers looking to explore different cask finishes and allows for collectability.
The whisky celebrates James ‘The Major’ Grant’s worldly quests and experimental approach to flavour – storytelling that sparks curiosity and invites exploration.
Regional key opinion leaders gathered at the Hong Kong International Airport pop-up to bring the story of The Glen Grant Exploration No.1 to life across their social media platforms
Can you tell us more about the flavour profile of The Glen Grant Exploration Series No.1 and how it was designed to appeal to the Asian palate and adventurous drinkers?
The Glen Grant Exploration Series No.1 offers a vivid character with notes of spice, rich dark sugar and banana, creating a sumptuous whisky with a depth of sweetness and the vibrancy of tropical fruits from the selected cask finish. With a warming and spicy palate, the taste is guided by vanilla vibrancy and tropical notes while the finish is long and creamy with a hint of fresh pineapple.
What does the future hold for you and The Glen Grant? What are your biggest priorities for the year ahead?
We have been hard at work on a few very special rare releases, that I’m looking forward to sharing in the coming years.
For 2025, we’ve just announced our new Splendours Collection, which debuts with The Glen Grant 65 Year Old. This is a new prestige collection showcasing some of the rarest and most extraordinary whiskies maturing at the distillery. The collection exemplifies the distillery’s exceptional ageing potential, preserving the signature character of The Glen Grant whisky while developing remarkable depth and complexity over time.
The campaign’s hybrid approach includes a digital tie-in with ride-hailing app Grab in Singapore
Supporting visuals take inspiration from Caribbean landscapes and natural textures
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The Moodie Davitt eZine
Issue 345 | 4 June 2025
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