Well-aged Glen Grant is a not uncommon Society sight. But this month we’re presented with something a little tangential - a vatting of (roughly 19 year old) hogsheads back in 2016, each filled into a 1st fill oloroso hogshead for an additional four year maturation. So single cask in destination only.
Nose: Initially dense, tight and somewhat constricted. Deep chocolate and cashew nut brittle sit with almost savoury caramel, hard wood furniture, tree sap, pipe smoke and hot cross buns. The addition of water brightens things up substantially expressing cherry and berry compote, freshly griddled waffles, Turkish delight and maple syrup covered pecans.
Taste: A wider, more expansive palate that’s adopted plenty of savoury oloroso character – meaty demi-glace sauce, roasted barley, chocolate porter and dark lacquered wood flooring. Sticky toffee pudding, gingerbread and chocolate syrup offer rich sweetness whilst a pinch of chilli flakes in the back palate provides welcome enlivenment. Reduction is once more welcome – a lift back to the lighter side with toffee caramel, cherry chocolate gateaux and chopped salted walnuts.
Finish: Medium to long in length with ganache-filled bon bons, drinking chocolate powder, crystalline ginger and dry oakiness.
The Glen Grant light, approachable and fresh character feels a little lost in this sherry cyber-conversion. Initially possessing something of a cold, cybernetic heart, this compact and resinous cyborg finds its optimum level of augmentation only once reduced. With its dense armour removed and its humanity restored, there’s rather the amenable fellow left underneath.