
July 13, 2018

The wee duos, today Glen Grant by G&M

Gordon & MacPhail have always been Glen Grant specialists, and we’ve already tried many old glories. But this short session will rather focus on young ones…

Glen Grant 15 yo (40%, Gordon & MacPhail, distillery label, +/-1985)

Glen Grant 15 yo (40%, Gordon & MacPhail, distillery label, +/-1985)
Not all 15s have been great in my book, but some were. It’s to be noted that the 100°proof version was rather more famous. These also came in many shades, this one’s rather pale. Colour: gold. Nose: rather dry, with quite a lot of toasted oak and bread, then hay and burnt grass, then a feeling of burnt caramel and high-volume supermarket ‘chocolate’. Well what some call chocolate. Not thrilled so far… Mouth: a tad bitter, rather too roasted, burnt, not exactly pleasant. Now I agree anything could happen with old bottles, but it’s also true that several of these 15s have crossed my path in the past, and I can’t remember any that’s been stellar. All have been quite bitter and dry, if I remember well. Finish: short and very dry. Comments: just for the record, this is very unimportant.
SGP:261 - 68 points.

Glen Grant 2008/2017 (43%, Gordon & MacPhail, distillery label)

This one should be much fresher. Colour: pale gold. Nose: it is a little cake-y as well, and perhaps a little burnt, but some very nice walnutty sherry keeps it brighter. Breakfast cereals, pecan pie, Ovaltine, stewed apples… Mouth: very good malty malt whisky, with classic oranges, millionaire shortbread, more cereals (or Weetabix), various cakes, some unexpected rancio… The 43% vol. rather feel like 46. So, solid body. Finish: rather long, a tad drier again, but that’s all pretty fine. Toffee, burnt raisins and caramel in the aftertaste. Comments: some young Glen Grant with G&M’s house style (as far as Glen Grants are concerned). So with more chocolaty sherry than in the OBs, I would say.
SGP:451 - 83 points.

Check the index of all Glen Grant we've tasted so far