Glen's Vodka
Encyclopedia
Glen's Vodka is a brand of vodka
, distilled in Scotland
in the United Kingdom
, from sugar beet
. It is produced by Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse, a company based in Catrine
, Ayrshire
. The vodka was launched in about 1972 and was originally known as Grant's, but as it increased in popularity, another company William Grant & Sons
, which produces Grant's
whisky, appealed to the Scottish Courts forcing the name to be changed, and the vodka was relaunched as Glen's in 2003.
Glen's Vodka is one of a number of low-priced brands of vodka produced in Britain. It can be found in many drinks retailers, ranging from large supermarket chains to independent local off-licences. It is most commonly offered for sale in 200 ml, 350 ml 700 ml and 1 Litre bottles; a 50 ml "miniature" is also available.
Since 2008 the brand has been among several targeted by counterfeiters of fake spirits. The counterfeit 700 ml bottles can easily be identified by the markings on the bottom of the bottle, which are different from bottles containing the genuine product. There are also differences in the adhesive used to attach the labels.
In November 2011 a gang who tried to flood the market with sub-standard fake vodka branded as Glen’s from their own bottling plant were jailed, according to HM Revenue & Customs. Officers seized 9,000 bottles of the fake vodka, along with manufacturing equipment, at an industrial unit near Great Dalby, Leicestershire. Hull Crown Court was told that there was a complete lack of fire safety measures, posing a serious and life-threatening hazard.
The vodka, containing chemicals unfit for human consumption, had been distributed across Britain. Bottles were seized from shops in Salford, London and South Wales. The loss to the Exchequer was put at £1.5 million.
Five men were charged with conspiracy to cheat the revenue. Kevin Eddishaw, 57, of Southwell, Nottinghamshire, and John Humphreys, 46, of Upton, Nottinghamshire, were jailed for seven years; James Fyfe, 51, of Arnold, Nottingham, got 16 months; Mark Gyles, 48, of Nottingham, got 12 months, suspended for 12 months; and Michael Matthews, 56, of Westonsuper-mare, got 18 months.
Vodka
Vodka , is a distilled beverage. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits....
, distilled in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, from sugar beet
Sugar beet
Sugar beet, a cultivated plant of Beta vulgaris, is a plant whose tuber contains a high concentration of sucrose. It is grown commercially for sugar production. Sugar beets and other B...
. It is produced by Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse, a company based in Catrine
Catrine
Catrine is a village in East Ayrshire, Scotland which was formerly a centre of cotton manufacture.-Geography:The village lies on the River Ayr which previously provided water power for local industry. It is in the parish of Sorn, 2 miles south east of Mauchline.-Transport:The A76 road lies south...
, Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
. The vodka was launched in about 1972 and was originally known as Grant's, but as it increased in popularity, another company William Grant & Sons
William Grant & Sons
William Grant & Sons Ltd. is an independent, family-owned Scottish company which distills Scotch whisky and other selected categories of spirits. It was established in 1887 by William Grant, and is now run by the descendants of the founder. It is the largest of the handful of Scotch whisky...
, which produces Grant's
Grant's
Grant's is a blended Scotch whisky bottled by William Grant & Sons in Scotland.- History :In 1886, William Grant started working in the distillery business as a Bookkeeper...
whisky, appealed to the Scottish Courts forcing the name to be changed, and the vodka was relaunched as Glen's in 2003.
Glen's Vodka is one of a number of low-priced brands of vodka produced in Britain. It can be found in many drinks retailers, ranging from large supermarket chains to independent local off-licences. It is most commonly offered for sale in 200 ml, 350 ml 700 ml and 1 Litre bottles; a 50 ml "miniature" is also available.
Since 2008 the brand has been among several targeted by counterfeiters of fake spirits. The counterfeit 700 ml bottles can easily be identified by the markings on the bottom of the bottle, which are different from bottles containing the genuine product. There are also differences in the adhesive used to attach the labels.
In November 2011 a gang who tried to flood the market with sub-standard fake vodka branded as Glen’s from their own bottling plant were jailed, according to HM Revenue & Customs. Officers seized 9,000 bottles of the fake vodka, along with manufacturing equipment, at an industrial unit near Great Dalby, Leicestershire. Hull Crown Court was told that there was a complete lack of fire safety measures, posing a serious and life-threatening hazard.
The vodka, containing chemicals unfit for human consumption, had been distributed across Britain. Bottles were seized from shops in Salford, London and South Wales. The loss to the Exchequer was put at £1.5 million.
Five men were charged with conspiracy to cheat the revenue. Kevin Eddishaw, 57, of Southwell, Nottinghamshire, and John Humphreys, 46, of Upton, Nottinghamshire, were jailed for seven years; James Fyfe, 51, of Arnold, Nottingham, got 16 months; Mark Gyles, 48, of Nottingham, got 12 months, suspended for 12 months; and Michael Matthews, 56, of Westonsuper-mare, got 18 months.