4 Glen Grants

I have to confess that Glen Grant was maybe one of the last distilleries that I opened my eyes to, even though I had an older G&M bottling that was spectacular way back in 2009. There are already a huge buzz following older sherried bottlings from this distillery, I'll have one of those today alongside two bourbon single casks and one vintage standard at 40%.


Glen Grant 17yo 1990-2007 40% OB by G&M

There were a large number of different "OB's" from Glen Grant when they were owned by Gordon & Macphail, not so many nowadays, even though many of the older ones were pretty sharp. This one has a light color, addition of E's are present. It smells light, wheat, hay, vanilla, dry and sweet notes. The taste is so light it's almost too smooth for me. It's a perfectly good starter whisky, or one to have alongside some seafood dishes. Light, summer style, I like it a lot, bot be sure to enjoy this one neat, and before having other, stronger flavors on the palate. Touch of green apples in the finish.

Perfectly drinkable, enjoyable any given day: 6


Glen Grant 35yo 1974-2009 48.8% Duncan Taylor

From a sherry octave, light color, earl grey. Considering the age, this one could very well be one of the much talked about older sherried Glen Grants. Sweet honey and cinnamon, dry grapes and red apples, nice stuff. The taste is heathery, dry, cinnamon and onion. Lots of cinnamon, the most recognizable flavor in this one. Maybe it needs some water? When diluted it turns more minty and sweeter, peppery as well as gritty/grainy and bitter. The taste is much better without additional added water.

Without water it's a very good whisky, though a bit light: 7


Glen Grant 23yo 1985-2008 55.8% First Cask cask#10182

One entirely matured in a Bourbon Hogshead, so this should be for the sweet toothed among us. It smells light, vanilla, cream, cauliflower mash, swede drain, cauliflower puree, dried paprika and squash. The taste is better than the nose, drying, hot cinnamon and white peppers, coriander, basil and laurels. Sweet licorice and roasted candied almonds on the finish. Another Glen Grant that's perfectly drinkable, yet a bit too light to create a fuzz. I think this one is maybe the essence of what most of recent Glen Grants has to offer, light style with some dryness and bourbon-influence.

Very well put together: 6.5


Glen Grant 15yo 1992-2007 59.9% OB cask#17163 btl.53/378

I think this is the highest %abv I've yet found in a Glen Grant, and being as soft and light as it usually comes across in my book, maybe this will give it an aromatic lift? Funky looking bottle, slender at bottom, and broadens towards the top, with a small neck. It looks almost like some kind of sportsman´s trophy. Light golden hue, smells spirity and herbal, wool, burnt acrylic clothing, cheap soap bars and wine gum. Sweet and obscure. The taste is burnt and sweet, strange stuff, sprity and soapy. Needs water. With added water it becomes sweeter, but the soapy notes seems to have left, so has the spirity, now there's more toffee and caramel present and some banana and cream. A vast improvement in my opinion.

Nice stuff, but remember water, if not it's too spirity, at least for me: 6.5



Next tasting: Glen Ord Distillery