On a crisp September night in Delhi, a select gathering of collectors, connoisseurs, and aesthetes arrived for what was billed as “The Pour of a Lifetime.” Inside the venue, soft lighting and understated luxury framed the moment. At its heart stood The Glen Grant’s 65-Year-Old Splendours Collection, the distillery’s oldest and most exclusive expression yet. Distilled in 1958, matured in a single French oak butt, this extraordinary single malt is one of the oldest whiskies ever released globally. With only 151 handcrafted decanters created, each priced at $50,000, the unveiling underscored The Glen Grant’s legacy of rarity, craftsmanship, and heritage.
Founded in 1840 by brothers James and John Grant in Rothes, Speyside, The Glen Grant has consistently been defined by innovation, from pioneering the Northern Railway to introducing electric lighting to the distillery and the town. James “The Major” Grant, who inherited the business in 1872, engineered tall, slender pot stills with unique water-cooling purifiers, techniques still central to the brand’s style.
Today, Master Distiller Greig Stables continues that lineage, ensuring that every whisky is crafted entirely on the distillery grounds, from barley to bottle, upholding the brand’s legacy.
The debut of the Splendours Collection draws inspiration from the distillery’s legendary Garden of Splendours in Rothes, Scotland. The 65-Year-Old’s design pays homage to the elusive Himalayan Blue Poppy, one of the rarest flowers on earth, symbolising resilience and beauty.
Each decanter is hand-blown by Glasstorm, encased in a Cherry wood Mobius strip sculpture by John Galvin, symbolising timelessness. Rose-gold embellishments engraved with blue poppies complete the collectable masterpiece.
Distilled in The Glen Grant’s signature slender coal-fired pot stills and matured in the distillery’s oldest stone dunnage warehouse, the whisky represents the pinnacle of patience and precision. Its deep mahogany hue reveals aromas of treacle, ripe blackberries, and sandalwood. The palate balances orange, black cherries, fruit cake, and sticky dates, while the finish lingers with oak, spice, citrus, and a hint of smoke.
Master Distiller Greig Stables described it as, “a whisky that captures not just six decades of time, but a lifetime of character, crafted using methods virtually unchanged today, honouring the legacy of our forefathers.”
The Delhi showcase also spotlighted India’s rising role in the global luxury spirits market. According to Shivam Misra, Managing Director, Campari India, “India is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting growth markets for luxury spirits, with consumers showing a clear preference for experiences that combine heritage, exclusivity, and storytelling. Showcasing The Glen Grant 65-Year-Old is a testament to this demand and reflects our ambition to position India at the forefront of rare whisky appreciation.”
