Glen Grant 1995 (The Maltman) Review

“Malty, the Maltman”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Speyside 

Brand: Glen Grant 1995 (The Maltman)

Bottled by: Meadowside Blending Co. Ltd, Glasgow
Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 17 Years

ABV: 46 % 

Colour:  Light Gold (Natural Colour)

Nose: Sweet, Malty, Floral and Fruity. The Alcohol is noticeable and you need to find your way around it. But when you succeed in doing so you will find a basket full of Fresh Fruit that contains Apples, Pears, Pineapples, Peaches, Nectarines and Bananas. I also find Sweet Barley, Oak and Resin, Wax, Custard Pudding, light Bourbon, light Honey, Grass, Lemon Zest, lightly Buttered Toast and light Wood Spices. Despite all these Aromas, it's not a very Complex Nose. Malt and Fruit are the main drivers. It's a pity that the Alcohol is not fully integrated.

Palate: Good- and Creamy Delivery. Here, the ABV works fine. Sweet at first but Oak and Spice quickly appear on stage. It's less Fruity than the Nose suggests. I find Sweet Barley, Charred Oak, Grass, Citrus (Mainly Orange), Apple, Melon, Vanilla, Bitter Chocolate, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Ginger, light Licorice and a hint of Espresso. 

Finish: Middle-Long, Woody, Spicy and Sweet with a very light Bitterness in the end. I find Sugar, Marzipan, Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Lemon, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, light Licorice, Charred Oak and hints of Aniseed and After Eight.

I added a bit of Water and on the Nose you get More Malt and some Floral Perfume. On the Palate the Malt and Spices become even more dominant and the Finish gets rather Short. It's nice to add a bit of Water before Nosing but you better sip it Neat.

Rating: 83 

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 20.5

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 Malt I'm tasting today was distilled in September 1995. It matured in an Ex-Bourbon Cask (# 97266) and was bottled in February 2013 by Independent Bottler Meadowside Blending Co. Ltd, Glasgow in their The Maltman Single Cask Series. Meadowside was founded in 2011 by Donald Hart and his son Andrew. This Glen Grant was not Chill-Filtered. Only 276 bottles went to the market. At the moment the average price lies around 90 US Dollars (November 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Good. 

Conclusion: It's surely a coincidence that this Glen Grant was released as part of Maidenhead's The Maltman series. Because it is a very Malt driven Whisky. On the Nose, the Barley is accompanied by lots of Fruit and that gives a very nice combination. Unfortunately, the Alcohol is a little too present in my opinion. The same Alcohol however guarantees a good Delivery. The lack of sufficient Fruit on the Palate allow Oak and Spices to dominate. I would have liked to see more balance there. The Finish is okay but simply does not provoke excitement. All in all this Glen Grant is a somewhat uneventful Speysider. Not bad but not great either.

Jan van den Ende                                                               November 5, 2015

Tasting Session at Glen Grant (May 2014)

Glen Elgin 1995 Anam Na H-Alba Review

“Too Hot Ta Trot”

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside

Brand: Glen Elgin 1995 (Anam Na H-Alba - The Soul of Scotland Series)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 17 Years

ABV: 58.1 %

Sample provided by Thomas from Germany. Many Thanks!

Colour: Golden Grain

Nose: The Alcohol is quite strong so it is really necessary to give this Glen Elgin enough time in the glass to open up. The Nose is Sweet and Floral with some Spicy undertones. I find Heather Honey, Citrus, Bourbon, light Vanilla, Toffee, Cereals, Butter Kekse, slightly Sour Green Apples, Canned Pineapple, Charred Oak, Old Book Shelves, Cinnamon, Ginger, Pepper and Cardamom. The Oak is quite present and so is the Alcohol. On the Nose this Glen Elgin only reluctantly shows its personality.

Palate: Very strong Delivery thanks to the high ABV. It's too strong in fact and quite Hot. On the Palate I find this Glen Elgin to be Bitter-Sweet, Woody, Waxy and quite Spicy with Charred Oak, Heather Honey, Malt, Hay, Orange Peel, Grapefruit Juice, Mandarin, Tropical Fruit Mix, Toffee, Milk Chocolate, Cinnamon, Menthol, Pepper, Cardamom, Bourbon and some Cocoa Powder.    

Finish: Quite Long, Woody, Bitter-Sweet and quite Dry in the end with Charred Oak, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Brown Sugar, Bourbon, Toffee, Pepper, Cinnamon, Menthol and a sprinkle of Salt. 

I added a little Water and on the Nose the Alcohol calms down of course.  The Barley, Vanilla and slightly Sour Apples become quite dominant. On the Palate the Citrus and Spices take over but the Finish gets a little Weaker. You can certainly add some Water but despite the high ABV its added value is limited.

Rating: 82

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5

Glen Elgin Distillery on a Winter's Day

General Remarks: This Glen Elgin 17 Years Single Cask Whisky was distilled on the 7th of November 1995 and was bottled at Cask Strength on the 26th of November 2012 by Indie Whisky bottler Anam Na H-Alba from the town of Oberhausen in Germany. It matured in an Ex-Bourbon Hogshead with Cask # 1663. This Glen Elgin is not Chill-Filtered and naturally coloured. The Bottles were sold at around US$ 75 a piece, relatively cheap for a Single Malt of this age (August 2015). It might be hard to find though! At Anam Na H-Alba it has been sold out for quite a while in the meantime!

The Glen Elgin distillery is located 4 miles south of Elgin in the village of Fogwatt close to the A 941. It was founded in 1898 by James Carle and William Simpson. It had its ups and downs but was finally bought by DCL in 1930. Today it's part of the Diageo Group and became one of their Classic Malts range in 2005. The 12 years is the Standard bottling but most of Glen Elgin's production is used in Blends like White Horse and Bell's. 

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: This is my first Glen Elgin. Therefore I have never tasted the young Spirit. The fact that most of it is used for simple Blends like White Horse and Bell's might indicate that it doesn't have a very strong own personality. That would explain the fact that after 17 Years of Ex-Bourbon Cask the Wood really came to dominate the Spirit. That might appeal to people who appreciate Old and Woody Bourbons but I found it a rather overwhelming experience. Not bad mind you but I felt like Forrest Gump or Woody Allen when I tasted this Glen Elgin. If you like this Aroma and Flavour Profile however, you might want to give it a try if you can find it as it's very reasonably priced for a Single Malt of this age.  

Jan van den Ende                                                                  August 13, 2015

Caol Ila 1995 (Anam Na H-Alba) Review

“Very Nice and Mature Islay Whisky”

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay 

Brand: Caol Ila 1995 (Anam Na H-Alba)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 17 Years

ABV: 51.4 %

Sample provided by Tom from Germany. Many thanks!

Colour: Golden Straw

Nose: Lovely Sweet Peat, Cold Campfire Smoke, Ashes, Wet Grass, Salted Butter, Diesel Oil, light Iodine, Shell Fish, light Menthol, light Rubber, Vanilla, Sugar, Sweet Barley, Dried Herbs, Barnyard, Lemon-Pepper, Milk Fat and some Fruity notes. Difficult to say but think of Pineapple and Banana. Nice combo of Sweet and Peat. I like it! The Alcohol is quite present so you need to feel your way around it.

Taste: Sweet Peat, Cold Smoke, Tar, Ashes, Sweet Barley, slightly Bitter Oak, light Honey, light Vanilla, Lemon-Pepper, Salt, Apple Vinegar, Caramel, Aniseed and light Metallic notes.  

Finish: Long, Dry and Bitter Sweet with Peat, Cigar Ashes, Espresso Coffee, Sweet Barley, Salt, Lemon-Pepper, Menthol and Mineral tones.  

This Caol Ila accepts a little Water but as usual I prefer it neat. 

Rating: 89

Nose: 22.5 - Taste: 22 - Finish: 22 - Overall: 22.5

General Remarks: The Caol Ila Distillery was founded in 1846 and is located close to Port Askaig on Islay. It was bought by DCL in 1927 and through some mergers is now part of Diageo. The distillery was completely rebuilt in 1974 and only one old Warehouse reminds us of former days. Traditionally, Caol Ila is an important component of Blends like Johnnie Walker, Bell's and White Horse. But during the last 10 years Diageo has made great efforts to position the Distillery as a Single Malt as well. The Caol Ila I'm reviewing today was distilled in 1995, matured for 17 years in a Bourbon Hogshead and was bottled in February 2013 by Indie bottler Anam Na H-Alba from Germany. Around 150 bottles went to the market and I was lucky enough to get a sample. This Single Cask is not Chill-Filtered, does not contain E-150 and was bottled at Cask Strength. The Bottles were sold at around US$ 105 a piece.

Drinking Experience Neat: Very Good

Conclusion: Very good Islay Spirit. On the Nose, the combination of Sweet and Peat is nicely done. I like young peated Islay a lot as it's Dirty and Rough. But I really love the combination of Mature Peat and Sweet tones you'll find in longer matured peated Islay whiskies. This Caol Ila could have scored even higher but for a few small details. There's a slight Bitterness of the Oak on the Palate and in the Finish and I found a very light Metallic off-note on the Palate. Still, this is a very nice Islay Whisky and I wouldn't mind at all having a full bottle of this Caol Ila in my cabinet. If you find it, buy it. You won't regret it!

Jan van den Ende                                                                March 18, 2015

A Splendid Speyside Surprise Review

“She’s a Mystery To Me” 

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside  

Brand: A Splendid Speyside Surprise (The Soul of Scotland Series)
Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 17 Years

ABV: 48.5 %
Sample provided by Thomas from Germany. Many Thanks!

Colour: Golden

Nose: Alternate Fruity and Floral tones. Be sure to give this Malt some time to breathe. I find Malt, Butterscotch, Toffee, Buttered Toast, Honey, Brown Sugar, Dried Fruits, Heather, Grandma's Fragrant Soap, Sherry, a hint of Sulphur, light Vanilla, Canned Pineapple in Syrup, Dusty Road, Wood, light Cinnamon, light Clove, Nuts and Espresso. It's all pretty Delicate despite the quite strong Alcohol that's still around. A bit Musty as well.

Palate: Here the Sherry is much more present. I find Nuts and Raisins, Honey, Toffee, Orange, Canned Peaches in Syrup, Brown Sugar, slightly Bitter Oak, Musty Dried Herbs, Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, Pepper and Licorice.

Finish: Middle Long and Bitter Sweet with slightly Bitter Orange, Berries, Bitter Oak, Toffee, Hazelnuts, Dried Herbs, Pepper, Mint and Licorice. Quite Dry in the end.

The Splendid Speyside Surprise does not improve with added Water. It gets very Sweet and Malty. Better sip it neat.

Rating: 84.5 

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21 

River Spey (Photo Credit: Rene Ramon)

General Remarks: The Splendid Speyside Surprise was distilled in 1995. It matured in an Ex-Bourbon Cask and was bottled in 2012 for Anam Na H-Alba, the Independent Whisky bottler from Oberhausen in Germany. This Single Malt Single Cask Whisky is Uncoloured and Non Chill-Filtered. It was sold at roughly 75 US Dollars per bottle. I'm not sure it's still around! 

Drinking Experience Neat: Good 

Conclusion: A nice but not perfect Speysider. Quite Fruity, Floral, Delicate and a bit Musty on the Nose. More Robust on the Palate with Sherry and lots of Herbs, Spices and Oak. Personally I believe this rather delicate Spirit has overstayed its time in the Cask a bit. Perhaps 15 Years would have been quite sufficient. It's not easy to identify the Distillery that produced this Spirit. If pressed, I would say that the Sherry and the Earthy, Dusty Feeling would point in the direction of Aberlour or Glenfarclas. But my guess is as good as yours. If you have any info on the matter, please leave a comment. Thanks!

Jan van den Ende                                                         December 15, 2014