Glen Grant 23 Year (1992), Cadenhead’s for The Nectar

Review by: Whiskery Turnip

Distillery: Glen Grant.

Bottler: Cadenhead’s.

Region: Scotland/Speyside Single Malt.

ABV: 51.1%. Cask Strength.

Age: 23 Years. Distilled in 1992. Bottled in 2016.

Cask type: Bourbon Hogshead.

Nose: Apple orchard notes prevailed, accompanied by freshly crushed apple juice, cider, hints of cinnamon, and apple cider donuts; a buttery pastry crust offered up hints of pie, with subtle floral notions of apple blossom and orris.

Palate: Medium-bodied, juicy and sweet with a touch of fruity acidity, big orchard notes with barrels of apples and fresh apple cider, hints of cinnamon and ginger, wood oils and resins appeared on the back with rose, apple blossom, and orris to provide an almost perfumed conclusion.

Finish: Medium to long with apples, pastries, and a touch of fragrant wood.

Mental Image: Apple Orchard Gift Shop.

Conclusion: The aroma was very apple-y, with juice, sauce, and cider popping out of the sweet, fruity, and slightly acidic apple notes. There were hints of something more complex in the background, teases of florals that brought to mind some of my favorite slightly saline and floral bath time whiskies. Those bath time-perfumed floral elements were bolder on the palate, coming in after a visit to the apple orchard to provide a very flowery finish. I could easily see this appearing to be a touch soapy to some, as those floral notes are often found in hand soaps— I know the decorative bars my grandmother kept in the guest bathroom would have been right at home with this whisky.

Overall, fresh, clean, and easy to drink, there was plenty to like about this mellow Glen Grant. There was not much going on, but there were no obvious flaws or significant issues (as long as those florals don’t give you the impression of soap).

Final Score: 78.

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

Published by Whiskery Turnip

Whisky reviews from Hawaiʻi and beyond. My wife is a peat monster; her influence can be seen in my preferences for earthy, dirty, and sometimes very weird malts. If given a choice, I will almost always choose whisky from a refill cask, especially regarding sherry. I am a big fan of the world whisky scene, especially single malts. You will not find my reviewing much more than whisky, but I am also a big fan of sake.

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