Glen Grant 16 Years Review

“The Feminine Touch”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Speyside 

Brand: Glen Grant 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 16 Years

ABV: 43% 

Colour: Golden Amber 

Nose: Malty, Floral and Fruity with Sweet Barley, Buttered Toast, Vanilla Ice Cream, Heather-Honey, Grass, Milk Chocolate Candy Bars with Raisins and Nuts, Red Apples, Pear in Syrup, Peach Jam, Citrus, Caramel, Blossom Perfume, Rum, Cinnamon, Ginger and Aniseed. The Alcohol is reasonably well integrated. The Oak is there but it stays quietly in the background. The Nose is not too Sweet. It's uncomplicated, quite pleasant and it brings me in a Summer mood! 

Palate: A little Thin but nevertheless Creamy and very Malty. This would be so much better at 46%. I find Sweet Barley, Hay, Buttered Toast, Cocoa Powder, Nuts, Toffee, Vanilla, Golden Syrup, Nectarine, Lemon Pie, Orange, Floral notes, Pepper and Fresh Herbs. Towards the end, the Oak gets more of a say.  

Finish: Sweet and Malty but on the Short side. Dry and with a light Bitterness towards the end. The Oak is quite noticeable by now. I find Sweet Barley, Nuts, Golden Syrup, Toffee, Cocoa Powder, Nectarine, Dried Herbs, Pepper and light Licorice. Hints of Espresso and Dusty Road.

I added a bit of Water and on the Nose you get even more Malt as well as some extra Toffee and Blossom. The Malt and Toffee take complete control over the Palate and in the Finish you get a little Spice and slightly Bitter Wood towards the end. I prefer it neat but you can play with a little Water. 

Rating: 84.5  

Nose: 22 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 21

General Remarks: 

Glen Grant is the only Scottish Distillery that was named after its founders/ owners John and James Grant. The Distillery is located just off the A 941 in Rothes, Morayshire, around 10 miles South of Elgin. It was founded by the Grant Brothers in 1840 and since 2006 it belongs to the Italian Campari Group. Glen Grant is mostly known as a Single Malt, especially in Italy but it's also a part of the Chivas Regal - and Old Smuggler Braemar Blends.

The 16 Years is the latest addition to the core range that also includes the NAS Major's Reserve, the 10 Years and a 5 Years expression that is only available in Italy. Glen Grant is still the best selling Single Malt in that country. The 16 Years mainly matures in Ex-Bourbon casks although a few Ex-Sherry casks are used as well. It sells at an average 75 US Dollars per bottle.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good 

Conclusion: The Glen Grant 16 Years is a great Whisky for starters. It's Sweet but not overly so, Creamy, Floral and Fruity. It feels very feminine. Don't get me wrong, I know that many women adore Laphroaig and Ardbeg as well but the majority of them would rather drink a Malt like this. I don't use this word often but the Glen Grant 16 Years is really Smooth and Silky. It could have been even better if bottled at 46%. Still, this is a Single Malt I would consider as one of my daily drams if it would have been a little less expensive. Despite this, the Glen Grant 16 years is a safe buy if you like the Aroma/Flavour profile!  

Jan van den Ende                                                               February 29, 2016

VC Glen Grant (May 2014)