Origin: Speyside (Scozia)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 40%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon
Chillfiltered: Yes
Added coloring: Yes
Owner: Campari Group
Average price: € 26.00
Official website: www.glengrant.com
Vote: 72/100
Let’s take a step up in the basic portfolio of Glen Grant, a distillery that is well known above all on Italian soil, and double the years of ageing compared to the widespread 5 years.
In his (no longer very) renowned bible, Jim Murray cited it as the best 10-year among non-single cask scotches, and even without having tasted it yet, I can think of several that, on paper, I think deserve to be in its place.
Biased? Well, if the 5 year old is simply drinkable, I can’t expect that not much more ageing will do the trick…
In 2016, the packaging was completely rethought, moving towards a style vaguely reminiscent of Macallan, trying to give the idea of a more refined and precious whisky that costs less than thirty euros (and which you can easily find in the supermarket). And with a cork, even!
Precisely because of its widespread popularity in Italy, these are bottles that are not so readily available in their homeland, which makes us smile a little.
Tasting notes
Light and delicate on the nose, on a grassy carpet it lays down apples, vanilla, honey, cereals, citrus tones of lemon and orange. Impression of almonds. Very pleasant even in its simplicity, without jarring.
Very light-bodied, almost watery (darn the 40 degrees!), it glides on the palate making itself felt just a little, on tiptoe, leaving a trail of wet cereals, vanilla, honey, almonds, apples. A hint of orange. The freshness of the nose has become impalpable, the balance plays down to be on the safe side.
Short finish of almonds, cereals, vanilla, wood.
A harmless, timid, almost transparent whisky: it doesn’t have any distortions like its younger brother, but it remains a totally negligible drink and barely an introduction to the aromas of Speyside.
Reviews of Glen Grant whisky in the blog:
Cadenhead’s Glen Grant-Glenlivet 20yo
Glen Grant 5yo
Glen Grant 12yo
Wilson & Morgan Glen Grant 25yo
Other perspectives:
Malt Review