Glen Grant distillery's own products aren't bought by the LCBO, so many thanks to Gordon & MacPhail for bringing this sherry cask matured expression to our market.
There was an earlier release of an 11 year old american oak bottling by Hart Brothers, but otherwise Glen Grant is rarely available in Ontario indeed. This is especially unfortunate, as for over 40 years, Glen Grant has been recognized as the best selling whisky in Italy and this is surely the reason why Gruppo Campari purchased it as their only scotch distillery in 2006.
I first tried this whisky at Spirit of Toronto and it was my pick as best of show. Naturally, I had to put one on my shelf, and it has waited its turn there patiently for over six months. The spirit has been matured in first and second fill sherry casks and the colour is a rich golden brown. Interestingly, the label is a shelved authentic design from Glen Grant that may never have been put to print if not for their close partnership Gordon & MacPhail who agreed to use it.
Impressions:
On the nose, there is distinct peach along with caramelized sugar and dried herbs which is all backed by a great woody depth imparted by the 25 years spent in cask. To the taste, this is a lucious leathery liquid with an added effect I can best compare to chewing on sherry-dipped apricot and walnuts. It all comes to a close rather quickly with a cocoa burst followed by a warm and smooth dispatch.
This is an expertly matured single malt that highlights the best of Glen Grant and escapes the trap of becoming excessively sherried at 25 years old. There are a few drawbacks here though, those 25 years don't come cheap at $159, it's currently in limited supply at the LCBO, and you can't have any of mine.
)
Leave a comment