SMWS Glen Grant 12yr 9.109
Apr 07
SMWS Glen Grant 12yr 9.109
Mashtun notes:
We have yet to have a bad Glen Grant from the SMWS (Scotch Malt Whisky Society). It’s a whisky that doesn’t always get recognition, but the SMWS show again and again that the base spirit is fantastic, and with the right maturation, and at cask strength, it can produce a cracking dram. On the nose we got bourbon, toffee apples, Cinnamon, molasses, slight citrus notes, wild garlic (by the river), oak, and hints of tobacco. On the palate we got more bourbon and vanilla, along with malt, hard candy, sweet tobacco, apricot jam, caramel, and a subtle peppery notes. The finish was sweet, spicy, smooth, and dry at the end. This dram had a fantastic golden colour and thick oily texture. Letting this dram breathe sweetens the nose and brings out caramel and toffee on the palate. A little water removed some of the sweetness, but even at almost 60% it can be drunk as ‘it is’.
We were excited to try this and we weren’t disappointed. This is everything we like from a Speyside. It was smooth, had well balanced flavours, and a beautifully rich palate. The only downside is that there were only 90 bottles made! A stunning dram and 100% recommended by The Mash Tun!
SMWS Glen Grant 12yr 9.109
The nose neat was sweet and fruity but at the same time we noticed a little kick like that of zingy lime and blackcurrant cheesecake, spiced caramel apple upside-down cake or apple and walnut brioche with a cider brandy custard. The taste was very much along the same lines; plum tarts with honey and black pepper as well as apple and sour cherry pie. With water, turning a touch sweeter; butter cakes with honeyed pears and waffles with hot strawberry jam and we all could not resist the temptation of having a maple-sweetened chocolate cupcake topped with a honey cream cheese frosting.
https://www.smws.com/the-vaults
http://www.glengrant.com/gb/en/
Notes: 59.3% ABV, 90 bottles made from first fill bourbon cask. £80 at time of tasting.
SMWS Glen Grant 12yr 9.109
Nose:
Bourbon, vanilla, slight citrus notes, and oak
Palate:
The bourbon, vanilla, and oak from the nose carry through. Along with these there was malt, hard candy, and Werther’s Originals
Finish:
Medium and dry
Colour:
Golden
Texture:
Thick
Air:
Brings out toffee and caramel on the palate
Water:
Removes some of the sweetness from the palate and brings out more oak
Overall comments:
A fantastic offering that has well balanced flavours. The bourbon shines through but marries well with the vanilla and oak.
SMWS Glen Grant 12yr 9.109
Nose:
Toffee apples, cinnamon, Christmas spices, molasses, fruit punch
Palate:
Very smooth, apricot jam on toast, slightly peppery
Finish:
Sweet and spicy aftertaste
Colour:
toffee
Texture:
Oily
Air:
Not a lot
Water:
Needs relatively little for being nearly 60% ABV
Overall comments:
Classic Speyside, very smooth and with a beautiful rich palette.
SMWS Glen Grant 12yr 9.109
Nose:
Wild garlic by the riverside and tobacco
Palate:
Sweet mature tobacco
Finish:
Green tea
Colour:
Gold
Texture:
Medium
Air:
Sweetens the nose a bit
Water:
I didn’t see the need for it.
Overall comments:
This dram was right up my street, it has everything I like in a whisky and a bit of a journey through some flavours that I like!