Right, Glen Grant! An iconic distillery that feels slightly overlooked. Maybe it seems that way because I’ve been guilty of that also. Today we’ll be looking at three releases. One is a brand new one from Decadents Drinks’ Whiskyland series – and 30 years old at that. The others were bottled by Gordon & MacPhail and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
Glen Grant usually shines in ex-bourbon casks. Refill or first-fill, either works. Although I confess to a preference for refill casks. Yet there are always exceptions to the rule. And I’m not just saying that because of this recent extravagant example. Check out these reviews if you don’t believe me.
We’ll have an variety of Glen Grant today. The Decadent Drinks release is easily the oldest one and has matured in refill barrels, while the Gordon & MacPhail is relatively young and spent its time in a first-fill sherry butt. Finally, the SMWS release sits nicely in between at 18 years of maturation in a first-fill bourbon barrel.
Glen Grant 2009 13 Years (59.1%, Gordon & MacPhail, C#900938)
Nose: A hint of walnut and some French toast, but also a touch of hops and vanilla ice cream. Then almond paste alongside an assortment of berries – strawberries mostly. Finally a tinge of Demerara sugar, cloves and nutmeg. Not without some feint sulphur notes.
Taste: Quite compact yet muscular. Slivers of warm apple sauce, ginger and nutmeg with a tinge of almond oil, marzipan and figs. Certainly some pepper and maybe some rum-soaked raisins, but definitely chalk.
Finish: Medium length. Hints of chalk, some aniseed and a bit of pepper. Also cherry syrup.
Glen Grant 2003 18 Years (53.9%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, #9.255)
Nose: Hints of sultanas alongside cereal notes and marzipan, as well as plums, dried apricots and some nutmeg. There’s a sliver of coconut water as well, followed by some cooked fruits, milk chocolate and meringues. Slightly buttery as well with a touch of creamy macadamia.
Taste: A pleasant creaminess with a hint of barley husks, some toasted oak and aniseed, but then tinned pineapple juice, maple syrup and almonds. A pinch of white pepper too, as well as some cinnamon sprinkled stewed apples.
Finish: Medium length with a hints of ginger, burnt toast and fennel. Then some feint orchard fruit and a sugary sweetness.
Glen Grant 30 Years (46.6%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’, Chapter Fourteen)
Nose: An immediate waxiness accompanied by gentle mineral notes, hints of mirabelle plums, maybe some hessian and certainly puffed wheat and lemon pith. There’s a touch of sunflower oil, as well as, powdered sugar, vanilla custard and chalk. Lovely, delicate stuff.
Taste: The waxiness translates nicely to the palate, but is accompanied by sweet notes of marshmallow, then some ripe bananas and also caramel-glazed apples. Next up stewed apples and candied fruits, as well as a hint of nectarines.
Finish: Medium length with a touch of fennel, whiff of sponge and some sandalwood. Maybe honey as well.
