Glen Grant's story begins in 1839 when brothers John and James Grant, former illegal distillers, secured a lease in Rothes, Speyside. They established Drumbain Distillery, the village's first legal operation, which quickly earned recognition as 'one of the largest distilleries in the North.' The remote location posed logistical challenges until 1858, when James Grant, serving as Mayor of Elgin, championed the construction of a railway line. The distillery's early locomotive, affectionately named 'Glen Grant,' symbolized this new era of connectivity. In 1872, James 'The Major' Grant, a legendary figure in whisky lore, inherited the distillery. A visionary and decorated war veteran, The Major revolutionized production during the Victorian whisky boom. He pioneered the sale of Glen Grant as a single malt, marketing it in England, Scotland, and the colonies with distinctive labels featuring two Highlanders beside an oak cask—a branding innovation ahead of its time. The whisky was praised as 'pure, mild, and particularly suitable for family consumption,' establishing Glen Grant's reputation for approachable elegance. Responding to soaring demand, The Major built Glen Grant No. 2 (later Caperdonich) in 1898, the same year he installed the Highlands' first pneumatic malting drum—a technological marvel that operated until 1971. His innovations extended beyond production; he designed Glen Grant's iconic tall, slender stills with unique purifiers, creating the light, fruity, floral character that defines the brand today. The Major's Victorian estate included magnificent gardens requiring fifteen gardeners, now a celebrated visitor attraction restored in 1996. The garden's spirit safe, used for bespoke bottlings, remains a tribute to his hospitality. Following The Major's death in 1931 at age 84, his great-grandson Douglas Mackessack guided the distillery through turbulent times. In 1952, Glen Grant merged with George & J.G. Smith Ltd to form Glenlivet & Glen Grant Distilleries Ltd, later becoming part of The Glenlivet Distilleries Ltd in 1970 through further consolidation with Hill, Thomson & Longmorn. Seagram's acquisition in 1978 marked a new chapter, though Mackessack ensured staff prosperity with generous bonuses before retiring. The 2001 Pernod Ricard purchase triggered EU-mandated divestment, leading to Campari Group's strategic acquisition in 2006. Campari appointed Dennis Malcolm, a Glen Grant veteran since 1961 and master distiller since 1992, as distillery manager. Under his stewardship, Glen Grant has flourished, earning numerous awards while maintaining its commitment to The Major's original vision: crafting exceptionally smooth, accessible Speyside single malt that remains 'pure and pleasant' for modern palates.

Glen Grant's still heating method is quite fascinating. The first 4 stills were heated by direct coal fire. The original stills were equipped with water wheel-driven pot bottom brushes (the last in all of Scotland, used until 1979). In 1973, 2 more stills were added using direct liquefied petroleum gas heating, and another 4 stills were installed in 1977. In 1979, all 10 stills were converted to liquefied petroleum gas combustion heating, but this only lasted until 1983. At that time, the original stills returned to coal combustion heating, while the spirit stills adopted indirect heating via steam from a waste heat boiler. Simultaneously, the old still house containing the 4 original stills was replaced by a new still house, and 2 larger stills were installed, so production capacity was not affected. All stills were converted to indirect heating by the late 1990s. The original stills feature the so-called 'German helmet' design, with a giant bell appearance, unique to Glen Grant. All 4 original stills have this characteristic, and all stills are equipped with purifiers at their necks to increase reflux. Glen Grant's product line was repackaged in 2007, with the label specifically emphasizing 'distilled in tall stills' (emphasized twice!). Thanks to the business acumen of Italian agent Armando Giovinetti, Glen Grant became the first single malt whisky to be widely accepted in export markets. Giovinetti realized a younger product would have greater appeal (he benchmarked against blended brandy at the time) and specified it should be matured for 5 years. He began heavily promoting it from the mid-1960s, achieving sales of approximately 200,000 cases per year by 1977. Glen Grant remains the most popular single malt whisky in Italy, though sales have declined in recent years. However, thanks to increased sales in France and the United States, the brand's annual global sales exceed 3 million bottles, making it one of the world's best-selling single malt whiskies.