Region – Speyside – ABV – 46.6% ABV
**UPDATE** Shortly after I posted about this whisky, an announcement has been made that a 65yo Glen Grant will be bottled/released by the same Wealth Solutions/Gordon & MacPhail team. I *just* received this email. Kismet!
I’ve been sitting on this sample of the Wealth Solutions/Gordon & MacPhail Glen Grant 66yo single malt for a bit over a year now.
There was never one singular moment in time that seemed like the right time to taste this. I’m not sure there would ever be *THE* right time to taste it.
Because of this, I’ve decided not to wait for the right time and just live in the now.
What’s happening now is happening now-now.
Back in May of 2014, there was quite a to-do when this single cask was released:
It makes good sense that this would be released with such fanfare. How often does 66yo whisky get released?
Answer: not often. It’s kind of a big deal.
Without further ado, here is my review of the 1948 Glen Grant, 66yo, cask # 1369:
On the nose — Well, it smells as amazing as you might expect. How does one explain what a 66yo whisky smells like? It goes beyond tasting notes (though we will get to that). You can smell the age here, but it’s not age, it’s oaken maturity.
The initial note that hits me is cocoa butter. After this I detect muddled mint. Hay clippings and clean horse stables.
Hidden far beneath a veil of lace-like peat is a wonderful note of key lime sorbet. Grape seed oil.
The warm soft bellies of my kitties – comforting.
In the mouth — Very light, fairly bright. The oak comes through but this in no way is popsicle stick dry. Medium oily mouthfeel.
Fruity, like an astro-pop and spearmint chews. The farmyardiness is gone and is replaced with a floral presence. Wild flowers, not pretty “forgive me” flowers.
Wonderfully nutty and the cocoa butter is detected in flavor, too. Getting more floral now as we near the finish.
Finish — Chamomile and hibiscus and UK smarties. Long. Wonderful.
In sum — Sort of amazing. It’s nice to know that after 66 years the wonderful Glen Grant character is quite present.
The fact that I am lucky enough to have been given a sample of this fine whisky blows my mind. Many, MANY, thanks to the good people at Wealth Solutions for thinking of me.
There actually is a “why” to explain my reasons for tasting this one right now. I raise this glass and experience to a very sick friend. A toast to you in the hopes that you may heal soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxAw8Z-3qOc