'Consumers Here Have A Good Deal Of Knowledge And Are Very Enthusiastic.'

Discussing Glenfiddich’s newly-launched Experimental Series and more with the brand’s Global Ambassador Struan Grant Ralph.

- Alshaar Khan

Accompanying the launch of Glenfiddich’s Experimental Series last month at the Harbour Bar, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, was a slice of history. More than a century ago, Charles Gordon, the son-in-law of Glenfiddich’s founder William Grant, stayed at the same hotel during a business trip to have a look at India’s burgeoning scotch market. The brand’s current global ambassador, Struan Grant Ralph, had more such anecdotes to share from its rich history as he concocted interesting cocktails — XX Sour, Project Kiss Kiss and Hip Hops — with the newly launched malts.

Part of the Experimental series, the two new malts — Glenfiddich Project XX and Glenfiddich IPA series — have been designed to inspire unusual and unexpected variants, according to Ralph. With a master’s degree in chemistry, he has worked as a bartender and whisky ambassador across the US and Asia Pacific, and is the brain behind the IPA series single malt, which is finished in IPA craft beer casks. He spoke to us about growing up in Speyside, life as a young global ambassador, the scotch culture in India, his favourite spirits and more.

What does your job as the Global Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich entail?