Glen Grant regularly appears in outturns with age statements from opposite ends of the spectrum (with very little in between). This black label bottling is from the elder side of things with 26 years behind it after being matured in a refill ex-bourbon barrel laid down in 1992.
Nose: Prominent icing sugars combined with red berry sherbet and candied lemons. These are backed up by kiwi, pineapple juice, balled melon and jelly sweets. Running throughout, pancakes served simply with sugar and lemon juice (as they should be!). The addition of water reveals jammier fruits – sugar-packed preserves and spreads alongside sunflower oil, baked bread and polished oak.
Taste: Fruit-bomb alert. Mango slices, spit-roasted pineapple and guava are tempered by sweet and bright lemon juice, gooseberries and old orange liqueurs. The wood influence is polished and lacquered but exceedingly well-judged – sympathetic and enhancing. In the background, waffle mix and a tingle of white pepper. Dilution retains the fruit-packed profile, but lightens it towards kiwi fruit and melon, whilst adding in additional wood panelling and sheened tabled.
Finish: Long and fruity-juice forward. Multi-vitamin stuff. A touch of anise joins and array of sugared baked goods.
A beautifully composed and exceedingly elegant fruit-packed Glen Grant. There’s a ton of complex unravelling ester and oak forward aromas and flavours. Whilst water reduces the precision and focus, its results are nevertheless worth exploring. Straight out the bottle though this is excellent. Quite expensive, but excellent. Pick of the month.