The Glen Grant is celebrating the 60-year career of Master Distiller, Dennis Malcolm, with a rare release 60 Year Old limited expression, the oldest and first of its kind in the brand’s 181-year history.
Malcolm is widely recognised as an icon of Speyside having been born onsite at The Glen Grant distillery in Rothes in 1946 before joining the workforce at just 15, working as an apprentice cooper alongside his father and grandfather.
Since then Malcolm has worked at The Glenlivet and Chivas Brothers, before re-joining The Glen Grant as Master Distiller in 2006 after the distillery was purchased by Campari Group. He has been recognised around the world for his work, being named 2016 as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016. In addition Malcolm is a member of the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame, received the Whisky Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award, and was honoured with the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Outstanding Achievement in the Scotch Whisky Industry Award.
In a recent interview with TheDrinksReport.com, Dennis remarked that Glen Grant is “a way of life”, adding: “I started in 1961. It has been enjoyable, it’s not a job for me but a way of life. I didn’t work with a clock, it wasn’t a job, it was my life. It has been a rewarding journey, because I’ve seen a lot of innovation.”
Since returning to Campari Malcolm’s careful craftsmanship has seen The Glen Grant whiskies win global recognition most recently, The Glen Grant 15 Year Old received 92 Points – Editor’s Choice in the Spring 2021 issue of Whisky Advocate, a Gold Medal in the New York International Spirits Competition (2020), winning “Single Malt Scotch of the Year” honours, and double gold medals in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2019).
“It’s nearly impossible to measure the influence Dennis has had on Campari Group and the entire Scotch Whisky industry,” says Julka Villa, Global Managing Director, GSM Spirits.
“He’s shown the entire company how a distillery should be run, with incredible attention to his craft, and real caring for all those around him. Dressed frequently in his family tartan kilt, he also shows the world the meaning of a true Scotch ambassador, unmatched in his knowledge and unwavering in his passion and commitment.”
To celebrate Malcolm’s 60 year service to Scotch whisky The Glen Grant 60 Year Old whisky will be released in conjunction with a global campaign and launch event at an undisclosed location during Q4 of 2021.