Dining

Ultra-rare The Glen Grant 65-year-old single malt whisky tastes of black cherries, fruit cake, and sticky dates

The Glen Grent_65-Year-Old whisky label

In the world of fine whisky, patience is more than a virtue, it’s an art form. So it seems entirely appropriate that The Glen Grant will unveil a 65-year-old single malt Scotch whisky, at Hong Kong Art Week, marking the first release from the distillery’s newly announced, ultra-premium Splendours Collection. 

The Splendours Collection is a showcase for some of the oldest, rarest whiskies quietly maturing at The Glen Grant’s historic Speyside distillery. Each edition will draw creative inspiration from the Garden of Splendours, a botanical wonderland planted in 1886 by the distillery’s eccentric and visionary forefather, ‘The Major’ James Grant.

Fittingly, the 65-year-old honours the elusive Himalayan Blue Poppy, which is still flourishing in the garden today, having been first planted over a century ago.  

The Splendours Collection is a showcase for some of the oldest, rarest whiskies quietly maturing at The Glen Grant’s historic Speyside distillery…

Each of the 151 decanters, crafted by John Galvin and Glasstorm, takes the form of a Mobius strip seed pod, a sculptural loop said to symbolise the endless cycle of growth, maturation, and renewal. Intricate engravings depict the rare flower.

Distilled in 1958, this remarkable spirit began life in The Glen Grant’s slender, coal-fired pot stills, famed for producing the distillery’s signature light yet complex character. It was then laid down in a single French oak butt, quietly evolving for 65 years in the cool, dark embrace of Warehouse No.4, the oldest dunnage warehouse at the distillery.

Over these six and a half decades, the whisky absorbed both the richness of the oak and the unique atmospheric influences of its surroundings. 

The Glen Grant 65-year-old Splendours Collection whisky tasting notes

Bottled at cask strength 55.5% ABV, the whisky has a pronounced mahogany hue. The nose reveals layers of syrupy treacle, ripe blackberries, and soft sandalwood spice. On the palate, you can expect orange zest, black cherries, fruit cake, and sticky dates, united by subtle oak and a whisper of smoke. The finish is said to linger gracefully, with delicate citrus, spice and a fleeting wisp of oak smoke.

To celebrate the launch, The Glen Grant has partnered with post-digital art collective Random International to present ‘Seasons’, a unique live art performance that will unfold during Hong Kong Art Week this month. Inspired by the cyclical beauty of the Garden of Splendours, ‘Seasons’ transforms digital data into hand-painted physical works through Random International’s novel Pixelography process.

The performance will see the creation of 65 bespoke artworks, each symbolising a year in the whisky’s life, across four separate events, echoing the four seasons. The public exhibition runs at The Upper House Hong Kong from March 27-28.

“The true scarcity of this spirit at 65 Years Old is testament to the unwavering approach to whisky making and visionary innovation which has always defined The Glen Grant,” says Greig Stables, Master Distiller. “Although distilled back in 1958, the methods remain almost entirely the same today reflecting the legacy of our forefathers.” 

With only 151 decanters available worldwide, the Glen Grant 65-Year-Old will be released across select markets early 2025, priced at $50,000. 

Audiovector expands Arreté luxury audio family with ravishing new R 5 loudspeaker

Audiovector has expanded its high-end loudspeaker line with the launch of the R 5 Arreté, a premium floorstander that features advanced audio technologies first developed for the company’s flagship R 10 Arreté. Engineered and hand-built in Denmark, the R 5 Arreté arrives after what Audiovector describes as five years of development and more than 2,000…

Unknown's avatar

About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK