The Glen Grant’s 70-Year-Old Devotion is a Masterpiece of Both Whisky and Sculptural Art
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A great whisky is, as anyone who’s had one can confirm, a work of art and a testament to the craftsmanship that went into making it over years and decades. When it comes to the bottles in which the whisky resides, however, the packaging is often an afterthought. But in the case of The Glen Grant’s Devotion, the liquid is presented as a showcase for the arts of distilling, glassmaking, and sculpture, in an edition limited to only seven bespoke decanters. Each decanter bears unique characteristics, making them all one-of-a-kind works of art.
A Tribute to a Legendary Monarch — And a Venerable Distillery
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The Glen Grant Devotion 70-year-old is the oldest whisky ever released by The Glen Grant distillery, which has been operating in Rothes, in the Speyside region of Scotland, since 1840. Taken from a single French oak ex-sherry cask laid down in 1953, it’s a liquid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, whose 70 years on the throne were exemplified by a spirit of devotion and service to her country. It’s also a testament to the devotion of two of The Glen Grant’s own. Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm, OBE, began his career in whisky making working as a cooper at The Glen Grant distillery in 1961, and was actually born on the distillery grounds in 1946. And James “The Major” Grant (1847-1931), the nephew of The Glen Grant’s founder John Grant, not only transformed and modernized the distillery, but also cultivated its famous 27-acre “Garden Of Splendours,” featuring exotic flora and fauna collected from around the globe.
Three Renowned Crafstmen Combine Their Talents to Create One Extraordinary Piece
The Glen Grant Devotion was brought to life by three extraordinary artisans, each one at the pinnacle of his craft. Dennis Malcolm, of course, identified the cask as containing a whisky that was not just special but exceptional, a showcase for the distillery and an apt tribute to the late Queen. The whisky is at the center of a stunning bespoke wooden sculpture created by award-winning designer and craftsman John Galvin. Crafted from a fallen elm tree on the distillery grounds, the sculpture is intricate and complex, with shapes inspired and even dictated by the elm itself . The outside ring is engraved in silver with designs of favorite flower, the Lily of the Valley, and the Thistle of Scotland. It’s a design that rewards concentration and contemplation from the eyes, just as the whisky rewards the palate. Galvin also designed the silver caps which top the decanters; each of the seven features a different floral engraving, all of which are significant in the context of the queen.
The decanters themselves were made by hot glass master Brodie Nairn of GLASSTORM. Each hand-blown decanter features seven gem-like facets, with each facet representing a decade of the reign of her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
At the Heart Of Devotion, a Rare and Extraordinary Whisky
The beauty and intricacy of the decanter and the sculpture in which it rests shouldn’t detract from the whisky itself. Seven decades of careful and prudent aging has resulted in the creation of something that is simply magnificent -. A floral aroma intertwined with ripe peach, barley sugar and honeyed sweetness gives way to flavors of dried fruit, raisins, and sultanas, with a gentle spice and a light touch of oak on the finish. Bottled at a cask strength of 55.5% ABV, it’s impeccably balanced and flavorful as-is, without the addition of water. The rich chestnut hue, imparted entirely by the cask, contrasts dramatically with the silver capsule and the distinctive shades of the elm sculpture. Johnny Fowle, global head of spirits at Sotheby’s, which is auctioning the first of the decanters, notes, “This whisky embodies so much of what is important in whisky collecting: quality, rarity, age and most of all provenance as the oldest whisky ever to be released directly from The Glen Grant Distillery itself.”
While Devotion is a testament to the legacy of The Glen Grant distillery and the artistry of Dennis Malcolm, he ties his own devotion to that of the late Queen. “In the true spirit of The Glen Grant,” he says, “we bring together the inspiring legacy of our story with the personal devotion of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to realize this exquisite masterpiece. To be devoted, is to show unwavering loyalty and love to something you care for deeply, which sits at the heart of our whisky-making philosophy, as well as shining through with our creative collaborators. This is a lifetime of character and legacy captured in a magnificent creation, like nothing we have ever seen.”
Seven Decanters, Seven Unique Works of Art
Each of the seven decanters is individually numbered; Decanter Number One will be auctioned online by Sotheby’s from September 11-22. The capsule is engraved in gold with the Queen Elizabeth Rose, named for the late Queen. The proceeds will be donated in their entirety to the Royal Scottish Forestry Society. The society counted the late Queen Elizabeth II as a Patron and supports the education of those in forestry and woodland management, promoting sustainable forestry more widely throughout Scotland, a cause of great significance to The Glen Grant.
The remaining six decanters, all engraved with different flowers associated with Her Majesty, will be available for sale in the U.S. and select Asian markets, with prices available on request. Click here for more details on the auction. For additional information about Devotion and The Glen Grant, pay a virtual visit to the distillery online.
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