Scotland, Speyside. Distillery operational. Owners: Chivas Brothers Ltd, Pernod Ricard

Glen Grant is a textbook case in the history of the Scotch whisky industry. For decades (and still to this day), the distillery's official label was found on both independent bottlings and the distillery's own bottlings. Some of the most active independent bottlers in the 50s and 60s included Gordon & MacPhail, Campbell, Hope & King (which also worked with Macallan for the bottling and distribution of its malt), Cadenhead, Robert Watson and R Moray Bonding. The result is a multitude of available versions, making it an enthralling dram to collect. As Glen Grant was a blender's malt (Chivas Regal, 100 Pipers, etc.), its owners concentrated on a more classic maturation method characterized by bourbon. Gordon & MacPhail for their part decided to specialize in versions aged exclusively in ex-sherry casks. It was a smart move and their vintages casks became highly prized by whisky enthusiasts and collectors across the world.

A limited edition of Glen Grant 25 year old bottled for the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer in 1981. Key dates for the British monarchy are often the subject of commemorative items, such as Bruichladdich 1965, also bottled to celebrate the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana, and even royal visits can lead to commemorative bottlings like the famous Port Ellen celebrating the Queen’’s visit to Islay in 1980. Over the years, many such whiskies have been bottled to mark these events and are considered collectors items for both fans of the British monarchy and whisky enthusiasts. Numbered bottle.