Posted on by Steven Oliver

SMWS Glen Grant 12yr 9.109

SMWS Glen Grant 12yr 9.109

SMWS_theVaults

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!

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