Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Glen Grant.
Bottler: Whisky Sponge.
Region: Scotland/Speyside Single Malt.
ABV: 49.8%. Cask Strength.
Age: 24 Years. Distilled in 1995 & 1997. Bottled in 2022.
Cask type: Refill Hogshead, Refill Barrel.
Nose: Orchard fruits and pastry dough with red apples and pears sliced for a tart, hints of chalk and sawdust, old oak, cider donuts, bath bombs and cream lingered further in.
Palate: Medium-bodied, crushed orchard fruits, apple sauce and juice, sawdust and freshly milled lumber, a kiss of salt and chalk brought forth bath bombs, pepper and oaky vanilla toward the end.
Finish: Medium-length, slightly drying with pastry dough and orchard fruits.
Mental Image: Apple Orchard Bathhouse.
Conclusion: Relaxing and easy-drinking, this Glen Grant felt ideally suited to slip into the background of a social meetup. Perfect for the sort of evening where the whisky is not the point, but you still want something delicious to lubricate the conversation. It may even wow someone expecting an alcohol burn or all scotch to be smokey. I thought this Glen Grant was the most Glenlivet-adjacent I have tried with its big orchard fruits, pastries, and wood.
Smooth and well-rounded, I did wish there was more complexity to the aroma and palate, but not every whisky needs to be a think piece or stroke some deep chord of nostalgia. This was fine the way it was, though I hoped for something to elevate it up to the next level.
Final Score: 79.
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.
Malt Runners 