Glen Grant once more


October 3, 2022

Little duos, revisiting Glen Grant once more

Always a joy to taste the old ones by G&M or the bright young or middle-aged ones by several indies, but bizarrely, we're a little less acquainted with the OBs.

Glen Grant 15 yo 'Batch Strength 1st Edition' (50%, OB, +/-2022)

What a batch strength is, I couldn't tell you. A matter of poetic license, perhaps? This is integrally ex-bourbon. Colour: straw. Nose: pure natural, slightly mineral, otherwise all on barley and soft vanilla combo. Smaller whiffs of dandelions, honeysuckle, meadow honey, gooseberries and granny smith. Lovely freshness here. With water: honey and honeysuckle up! Mouth (neat): sweet apples, acacia honey, a feeling of hay, peaches (reminds you of young cognac at times) and a welcome moderate vanillaness. With water: once again, sweet barley, honeysuckle and honey. Finish: medium, gently sweet yet still rather bright and tight. Stewed apples drizzled with honey. Comments: 'When I'm taking sips, From your tasty lips, The honey fairly drips, You're confection, goodness knows, Honeysuckle rose.' (Fats Waller, 1928).
SGP:641 - 84 points.

Glen Grant 18 yo (43%, OB, +/-2022)

We may have had to try this baby before the 15 yo at 50%. Too late, Kate… Colour: white wine. We seem to be noticing a tendency to lower caramel content almost everywhere in Whiskydom, which is cool. Nose: styles are extremely similar, gentle, honeyed, although this one would go rounder and a little more on cakes, while that's not only the lower strength. Less stamina for sure, and more averageness shall we say. Mouth: a tad more on overripe apples, teas, raisins and biscuits, as well as sweet ale. Really an allrounder that will easily please just everyone. Finish: a little more vanilla, banana, raisins and cakes. Some sweet sherry in there, apparently. Sweet fudge in the aftertaste. Comments: everything is working very well in this talented little Speysider of good age. Even the strength is very okay, although the price would be a little steep IMHO.
SGP:641 - 82 points.

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