Glen Grant 16 y.o. single malt whisky
A few months ago I introduced you to Glen Grant The Major`s Reserve single malt. The whisky is young – not older than 4-5 years, and is situated in low-priced class with the idea to compete the blends to 20-30 lv. It’s not bad in itself, but should not expect miracles from this young and unfinished malt. It would be interesting to me to try the 10-year-old distillate, but on the past Whiskey fest I managed to get the 16-year-old Glen Grant, which I tried a day or two ago.
The Glen Grant distillery is not among the popular whiskey producers in Bulgaria. However strange it may sound, I came across information in internet that it is among the largest sources of single malt whisky with an annual capacity of 5.9m litres. Moreover, the younger distillates enjoy great popularity in Italy, which should not amaze us, as the brand is owned by the Italian company Gruppo Campari. The ownership has changed repeatedly over the years and the market network offers different variations of Glen Grant, as the rarer of them are quite expensive. The one that I will present you – Glen Grant 16 y.o., will enter our territory soon I guess. So far, however, I haven’t seen it in the commercial network and I can’t tell you price.
Time for my annotation.
Aroma – honey, perfume, fruity /rather dried/, apples, bourbon notes, vanilla, Christmas cake, mint, green herbs, light peat, sweetness, „earth“ / „soil“, slight woody note and black pepper. The presence of grassy notes and the smell of fruits reminded me of Jameson 18 y.o. or Distiller`s Edition 12 y.o. I added a few drops of water, which strengthened the „earthy“ aroma and the fruity notes /apricots/. Taste – slightly dry, spicy/ peppery, intense note of honey, toasted, peat, woody, raisins, creme brulee. With water – more peppery. Finish – short to medium. Honeycomb, honey, light sweetness, caramelized sugar, sweetness. After the addition of water increased the honey and sweetness, and appeared a slightly vinous note.
Assessment: 85/100.