Review by: Raygun

This is the oldest Glen Grant I’ve had by some margin, but in terms of age and distillation date. It’s not a distillery I’m tremendously familiar with. I had a very nice Sponge Glen Grant a few months ago, and other than that it’s mostly resided in the “fairly anonymous Speyside” category. However, Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection typically doesn’t disappoint, so I have hopes for this one. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

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Distillery: Glen Grant

Bottler: Cadenhead’s    

Region/style: Speyside single malt Scotch

ABV: 40.5%

Age: 35 years old. Distilled in 1980 and bottled in February 2016.   

Cask type: Bourbon hogshead, 96 bottles.

Color: 0.5 yellow gold. Natural color and chill-filtered. I’m suspecting a refill hogshead given the age.

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Nose: The age comes out in a furniture store smell. Pears, dried apples, and a sharp herbal scent reminiscent of epazote crossed with spruce gum. Some floor wax.                       

Palate: More fruit to it. Peaches join the pear and dried apple, and there’s Meyer lemon as well. Even a touch of pineapple. The herbal  and evergreen sharpness continues, and it definitely brings the wood. The ABV shows up in that it does taste a little watery. Moves toward the herbal side with time, and some lime comes out.  

Finish: The oak shows up in a big way. There is an element of chewing on furniture. Still fruity, now with some sugar cookies and fruit-flavored gum. Pear and pineapple are the main fruit flavors here, bringing some needed sweetness. More wood-dominant and astringent. 

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Conclusion: Whether this is a refill hogshead or not, it is an oaky beast for sure. Very astringent and it does have moments when it’s like chewing on furniture. Fortunately, some nice fruity sweetness comes to rescue it. A little odd tug of war between these different personalities. Not the most harmonious dram, but it’s an interesting experience that develops in different directions over time.

Score: 82

Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)