Sunday, June 7, 2015

Review: Glen Grant 16 year old Single Malt Scotch

"Glen Grant" is not exactly a household name in the abode of most Scotch drinkers, and that is precisely why I invited it into mine.  This stray cat needed a home and I had plenty of love and affection for it, second only to the near-retirement age librarian a little way down my leafy street with five Persians peering out her picture window and batting at suspended amethyst crystals, slightly out of reach.

So, one chilly evening, I stoked up the hearth, leaned back in my beat-up corduroy recliner, enjoyed the warmth and snap, crackle, pop of the straw yellow flames licking the split logs, tuned my radio to an NPR profile of  Ralph Nader, pulled an ancient (circa early 1970's) black and orange macrame blanket over me, glanced at a stack of unread New Internationalist and Mother Jones mags, but decided against them, and instead simply shared a pensive moment or two with kitty while lazily gazing into the blossoming fire.

Region
Speyside

ABV
43%

Nose (undiluted)
Apple blossoms, faint lemons, orange rind, country garden air.

Palate (undiluted)
Sweet light apple, pears, and then some intensity of orange rinds, plums and figs.

Finish (undiluted)
I am tasting some good dry wood, oak, malt notes and a little sherry.  Slight smoked kippers.

General Impressions
This tabby purrs like a little tug boat out in the bay.  No bite or sharp claws out, but he is a little playful.  Very well behaved, but not above attacking a ball of yarn.  The 43% ABV delivers good intensity and tapestry of flavors.  Did I mention it is very easy drinking?  Add a little water (eg. 1/4 teaspoon to double) and the dram delivers notes of English cream and milk chocolate.

I had some friends over and they all wanted to pet kitty too.

A good one for people who are new to this breed of animal.

Cheers!



Jason Debly

P.S.  Here is my video review of this whisky:

https://youtu.be/pOENlJb7wRg