Grants Summer Orange Spirit Drink with Blended Scotch Whisky 70 cl 35%

Peel an orange on a terrace in July and the smell is out in the air before the knife is done. Grant's has tried to bottle that moment. Scotch whisky at the bottom, Sicilian oranges on top, and not much more to it than that.

Expert's Description

Grant's Summer Orange is a Spirit Drink with Blended Scotch Whisky and natural orange flavouring, bottled at 35%.

The label doesn't call it whisky, and there's a good reason. Scotch Whisky has to be at least 40% and can't have flavouring added. Summer Orange breaks both rules, so officially it's a Spirit Drink. The base is still Blended Scotch Whisky, a blend of malt and grain whisky, and you can taste it under the orange.

It reached Europe in 2022 as the first flavoured expression from Grant's. The flavour comes from natural orange flavouring and orange extract, and the label points to oranges from Sicily. It's sweet and fruity without tasting like a liqueur. The whisky still gets to be part of it.

Grant's is a family brand from William Grant & Sons, who also own Glenfiddich and The Balvenie. Summer Orange is made for mixing. Pour it over plenty of ice, top up with soda or lemonade and drop in a slice of orange. You end up with a long drink that works for people who normally steer clear of whisky.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh orange peel straight away, a bit like orange sweets. Behind it sit lime and a quiet hint of malt.

Palate

Sweet and juicy. Orange takes the lead, but there's soft malt sweetness underneath and a touch of vanilla cream. A small sour edge of lemon keeps it from turning sticky.

Finish

Short to medium. Orange peel, a little oak and malt, fading out quietly.

Specifications

Name: Grant's Summer Orange
Distillery: William Grant & Sons
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Spirit Drink with Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 35%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5010327253848
Serving suggestion: Long drink with ice, soda or lemonade and a slice of orange

Flavour Profile

Orange · Sweet · Fresh · Malty · Citrus

Did You Know?

The label says 1887. That's the year William Grant built Glenfiddich with his children, and the first spirit ran from the stills the same year. It happened on Christmas Day.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Grant's Summer Orange

What does Grant's Summer Orange taste like?

It tastes mostly of sweet, juicy orange. Underneath there's soft malt sweetness and a little vanilla cream, and a fresh lemon edge keeps it from getting heavy. The finish is short, with orange peel and a hint of oak.

Is Grant's Summer Orange a whisky?

No, officially it's a Spirit Drink. Scotch Whisky has to be at least 40% and can't have flavouring added, and Summer Orange is 35% with orange flavouring. The base, on the other hand, is Blended Scotch Whisky, a blend of malt and grain whisky. If you want to know more about grain whisky, read Grain Whisky: The Unsung Base of Blended Scotch.

How do you drink Grant's Summer Orange?

Long and cold. Fill a tall glass with ice, pour in Summer Orange, top up with soda or lemonade and add a slice of orange. It can also take being sipped on ice, but it's made for long drinks.

Is Grant's Summer Orange for people who don't like whisky?

Yes, that's exactly where it fits best. It's sweet and fruity, with very little smoke or heavy wood. Many people will taste an orange drink with a soft backbone rather than a classic whisky.

What's the difference between Summer Orange and regular Grant's?

Summer Orange has added orange flavouring and a lower ABV, so it's sweeter and fresher. Regular Grant's is a classic Blended Scotch Whisky with no added flavour. Summer Orange launched in Europe in 2022 as the first flavoured expression from the brand.

Who makes Grant's?

Grant's is made by William Grant & Sons, a family-owned Scottish company founded in 1887. The same family also runs Glenfiddich and The Balvenie. The Grant's blend is named after William Grant, who laid the foundation for it all.