Glen Grant 1975 Review

“A Grant Old Lady”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Speyside

Brand: Glen Grant 1975 (Archives) 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 36 Years

ABV: 46.6 %

Lord Jan and Lady Grant

Colour: Light Gold

The Semi Lauter Mash Tun

Nose: Fruity, Floral and Mature. Alcohol, Wood and Spices are nicely integrated. I find Pineapple, Peach, Banana, Orange, Mandarin, Red Fruit, Heather, Honey, Barley, (Lemon) Grass, Straw, Espresso, Toast, Fruit Cake, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cream and hints of Espresso, Leather and Dusty Shelves.

The Oregon Pine Wash Backs

Palate: Still Fruity with Red Fruit, Pineapple, Banana, Cherry, Orange and Coconut. Some Honey, Cream, Malt, Tea and Caramel as well. But Oak and Spices like Pepper, Nutmeg and Cardamom are much more present now. The great balance that I found on the Nose is mostly lost on the Palate. And that's a pity.  

A Spirit Purifier

Finish: Middle-Long and quite Dry towards the end. There's still some Red Fruit left and perhaps a little Mango. I also find Honey. But slightly Bitter Oak and Spices like Pepper, Cinnamon and Nutmeg start to dominate. Fortunately, some Dark Chocolate arrives after a couple of minutes.

The Magnificent Stills

I added a bit of Water and that further enhances the Fruity and Floral tones on the Nose. But Palate and Finish do not benefit from the added Water. I do get some Licorice now. But better enjoy this Glen Grant neat.

Rating: 87

Nose: 23 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 22

The Initial Distance Was Bridged Rapidly!

General Remarks: The 1975 Glen Grant I am tasting today was distilled on the 18th of April 1975 and was bottled at Cask Strength on the 4th of January 2012. It matured in an Ex-Bourbon Hogshead with Cask # 5476 out of which 81 bottles were sold via the Independent Whisky Bottler Whiskybase in Rotterdam. Archives is their relatively young own label. This Single Malt is naturally coloured and not Chill-Filtered. I believe it's Out of Stock right now at Whiskybase. It was sold at around 170 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Very Nice.

The Spirit Safes

Conclusion: This is one of the oldest Single Malts I've tasted so far. Great Balance and Depth on the Nose. Fruit, Floral Tones, Wood and Spices are fully in Harmony. Unfortunately, this is not the case anymore on the Palate and in the Finish. There the Wood and Spices start to dominate and we can conclude that Cask # 5476 was an active one. Despite this, the Glen Grant remains a well-crafted Single Malt and it was a pleasure Nosing and Tasting it. What a pity I only had a very small sample. If you like the flavour profile and you have the Cash, go for it if you can still find it! 

Some Data: 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 Glen Grant Distillery possesses 1 Stainless Steel Semi Lauter Mash Tun, 10 Oregon Pine Wash Backs and 4 Pairs of Stills. In 2013 their total production amounted to around 3,2 million litres.

Old Warehouses

The water for the distillery is sourced at the Back Burn and Tobar-Dhomhnaich Well. From Mid January to Mid December, the Distillery opens from Monday - Saturday from 9.30 to 17.00 hours and from May to October also on Sunday from 9.30 to 17.00. The Standard Tour costs 3,50 Pounds. Glen Grant's new nice and modern Visitor Centre opened in 2008. You can also visit the Victorian Garden (22 acres). It rained Cats and Dogs again when we visited the distillery so we refrained from the outdoor activities. 

The Bottling Facility

We visited Glen Grant on a rainy Thursday May 22, 2014. We were very early (9.30) and got ourselves a private Tour. We really enjoyed it and our guide was both friendly and knowledgeable. My brother in law Jan was able to shoot some nice pictures. The new bottling facility was opened in April 2013 and is very impressive. At the end of the Tour we experienced the NAS Major's Reserve, the 10 Year and the 16 Year. If you're only going to visit a few distilleries in the Speyside region, I can fully recommend to include Glen Grant! 

Jan van den Ende                                                       September 24, 2014

In the end it all boils down to this!!!!

Chivas Regal The Century of Malts Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: Chivas Regal The Century of Malts

Type: Blended Malt Whisky

Age: NAS

Alcohol: 43%

Colour: Golden Sunlight

Nose: Sweet with Sherry, Dried Fruits, Nuts, Dark Chocolate, slightly Burnt Toast, Honey, Marzipan, Watermelon flavoured Chewing Gum, Toffee, Oak, Baking Spices, Dry Earth, Straw and Orange Peel. The Alcohol is not fully integrated. The Nose is balanced but also rather simple considering that there are a 100 Single Malts reunited in this Blend.

Taste: Acceptable Delivery. Sweet, Fruity and Spicy with Sweet Barley, Toffee, light Sherry, Heather, Honey, light Smoke, Dried Fruit, Nuts, Pepper, Nutmeg and Orange. It's difficult to pinpoint the Fruit but it tastes a bit artificially like Fruit Flavoured Chewing Gum.  

Finish: Middle-Long, Sweet, Fruity and Spicy with Sweet Barley, Dried Fruits, Nuts, Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger, light Smoke, Oak, Orange, Menthol and a hint of Espresso Coffee.

I added a bit of Water and you get a bit more Smoke, Spices, Orange and a hint of Leather on the Nose. On the Palate and in the Finish you find more Fruit and Toffee and a hint of Licorice. Try it out both ways!

Rating: 83

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

Strathisla, the Home of Chivas might well be the heart for The Century of Malts

General Remarks: This unique Blend was launched in 1995 and contains 100 different Single Malts from the Highlands, Speyside, the Islands and the Lowlands. At the bottom of this post you will find a list with all participating Distilleries. The Century Malt will be difficult to find at the moment and you can expect to pay around 250 US Dollar. 

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: The Century of Malts is a good Blend. If only all Blends were like this! Still I feel a bit disappointed. I somehow imagined that a Blend of a 100 Different Single Malts from all the main Scottish production areas would create sheer magic. Instead I find the Century to be a slightly "common" blend of mainly Speyside- and Highland Malts with an understated Islands component. It's got balance but it misses depth and complexity. The Fruit Aromas and Flavours are a bit artificial. When the Blend was launched in 1995 it was sold at around 60 US Dollars and that was certainly a reasonable price. But I would not advise you to spend 250 US Dollars on the Century. For that kind of money you can find yourself a very nice Singe Malt or two!

Jan van den Ende                                                         September 21, 2014  

Below you will find the 100 Distilleries that contributed to this unique Blend. You will find quite a few that don't exist anymore. As Chivas is one of the most successful Blending companies worldwide, it always possesses large quantities of Malt Whisky from lots of Distilleries to be able to maintain their desired Aroma and Flavour profile. Here we go:  

Aberfeldy, Aberlour, Allt-A-Bhainne, Ardbeg, Auchentoshan, Auchroisk, Aultmore, Balblair, Balmenach, The Balvenie, Banff, Ben Nevis, BenRiach, Benrinnes, Benromach, Blair Athol, Bowmore, Royal Brackla, Braeval, Brechin, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Caperdonich, Clynelish, Convalmore, Cragganmore, Craigduff, Craigellachie, Dailuaine, Dallas Dhu, Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, Deanston, Dufftown, Fettercairn, Glen Albyn, Glenallachie, Glenburgie, Glencadam, Glen Craig, Glen Elgin, Glenesk, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, GlenGarioch, Glenglassaugh, Glen Grant, Glengoyne, Glenisla, Glen Keith, Glenkinchie, Glenlivet, Glenlochy, Glenlossie, Glen Mhor, Glen Moray, Glenrothes, Glen Scotia, Glen Spey, Glentauchers, Glenturret, Glenugie, Glenury Royal, Highland Park, Imperial, Inchgower, Inchmurrin, Inverleven, Isle of Jura, Kinclaith, Knockando, Ladyburn, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ledaig, Linkwood, Littlemill, Longmorn, the Macallan, Macduff, Mannochmore, Miltonduff, Mortlach, Mosstowie, Ord, Pittyvaich, Pulteney, Rhosdhu, Scapa, Speyburn, Springbank, Strathisla, Strathmill, Tamdhu, Tamnavulin, Teaninich, Tomatin, Tomintoul, Tormore and Tullibardine.

Tullibardine Distillery

Glengoyne 15 Years Review

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Glengoyne”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Southern Highlands

Brand: Glengoyne 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 15 Years

ABV: 43 %

Colour: Golden Amber

Nose: The Glengoyne 15 Years needs time in the Glass and Air contact to open up. After quite a while I find Sweet Rum Soaked Fruit Cake, Apple Pie, Sugar, 

Honey, Sweet Barley, Vanilla, Blackcurrant Muffins, Christmas Spices, Citrus Peel, Oak, Floral tones and hints of Sherry, Sulphur, Mint and Fresh Cut Grass. The Alcohol is not fully integrated.

Palate: Sweet at first but leaning towards Dry near the end. I find assorted Nuts and Dried Fruits, Orange, Banana, Toffee, Milk Chocolate, light Sherry, light Pepper, Nutmeg and Cinnamon. At times it reminds me of Apple Pie and Whipped Cream as well. An ABV of 46% would have been perfect.

Finish: Middle-Long and quite Dry towards the end with Sweet Malt, Toffee, Milk Chocolate, Orange, Mandarin, Banana, light Vanilla, Oak, Nutmeg, Light Pepper as well as hints of a Dry Dirt Track.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes slightly more Floral. I get some Stewed Apples as well. Palate and Finish do not benefit from added Water. My advise is to sip the Glengoyne 15 Years neat.

Rating: 84.5 

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

General Remarks: The Glengoyne Distillery was founded in 1833 by the known Edmonstone Family and is located in Dumgoyne by Killearn (Glasgow). Since 2003 it is owned by Ian MacLeod Distillers. Glengoyne has the slowest Distilling process of all Scottish distilleries to ensure lots of contact with the Copper Stills. The Barley is also dried exclusively with Hot Air. Peat is never used. Glengoyne is used in Blends like The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. The Glengoyne 15 Years matured in a mix of Ex-Bourbon Casks and new - and refill Ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks. It is part of the Standard Distillery Range that also includes the 10, 12, 18 and 21 Years. The Glengoyne 15 Years is naturally coloured and will cost you around 65 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: The Nose of this Glengoyne brought me in an early Christmas mood with all its Rum Soaked Fruit and Spices. On the Palate and in the Finish it's Dry rather than Sweet with noticeable Oak and Spicy Notes. The 15 is of course a more mature version of the 10 and 12 Years. As always, tasting Whisky is a very personal thing. I scored this 15 Years slightly lower than the 10 Years as I miss a bit of the Freshness that the latter carries. Still, the 15 Years is a very nice Single Malt and not too expensive. So go for it if you fancy the Aroma and Flavour profile I have described above. Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                           September 18, 2014