Glen Grant 18 Year Rare Edition 2020

Review by: The Muskox

This whisky was rather infamously named as the best whisky in the world by a certain well-read whisky writer in 2017. These particular picks are essentially just for publicity and clout, but it does say something about the appeal of this bottling. And hey, I can already tell you that this was a better pick than Crown Royal.

Distillery: Glen Grant.

Bottler: Official bottling.

Region: Speyside.

ABV: 43%.

Age: 18 years. Bottled in 2020.

Cask type: Bourbon casks.

Price: N/A, sample.

Color: e150. Chill-filtered.

Nose: Gentle and sweet. Sliced apples, pear, and banana. Soft buttercream, hints of honey and almonds. Slightly spicy ginger tea, cinnamon, and some lemongrass. Mild suggestions of age after a few more minutes of rest in the glass – distant oak and leather, with a growing dark chocolatiness.

Palate: Medium-light texture. Arrives fragrant with lemongrass and orchard fruit, before developing to something deeper, maltier, and butterier. Stroopwaffel, ginger snaps, brown sugar, and cinnamon toast. Very balanced oak and the softest leather. Chocolate buttercream.

Finish: Long, with a lingering fatty texture. Oak and toasted coconut fade to rich butteriness. Jam-smeared fresh croissants. Hints of citrus and cinnamon.

Possible SMWS bottling name: “Birthday bash in a bespoke shoe store”

Conclusion: A lovely and well-rounded bottling. I can see why this’d win a very general “what’s the best whisky” competition. I really enjoyed the buttery qualities in this dram. Comparisons to my beloved and sorely-missed Arran 14 were even popping up in my head.

Final Score: 84.

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.

Leave a comment