Glen Grant 10 Year

A worthwhile discovery. Glen Grant 10 was discontinued some years ago, as was the 16. The new range replaced them, and I found the 15 year old to be considerably superior to the 16. My knowledge is currently limited, but I will give the previous lineup another go with this expression. Nose: Vanilla, honey, and orange citrus notes. Toffee and almond biscotti. Gala apple, pear, and a touch of apricot. Some golden raisins. A hint of mint in the background. White pepper, clove, nutmeg, and subtle oakiness. I intentionally used phrasing that implies subtlety here, as it is indeed subtle. However, what I can discern is well-executed. Palate: Gala apple, pear, white and red grape, apricot, and raisin are prominent. Orange and lemon citrus. Vanilla, toffee, and honey. A slight soapiness, which I don't find negative but rather an occasional characteristic. Vanilla frosting. Light cashew and almond notes. Almost no spice, apart from some faint oak. Not quite as captivating as the nose, but still pleasing. Finish: Vanilla and toffee. Honey and sugar cookie. Caramel. Apple, pear, grape, apricot, and raisin. Melon and some tart plum. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. It's a short to medium finish. A solid whisky. I sampled this while watching the second-to-last episode of The Wire. No spoilers ahead, as I might not have finished the series by the time you read this. Regardless, the events of that episode were more engaging than writing this review. As I mentioned, the whisky is good enough. Quite enjoyable. But I suspect I wouldn't have focused on an entire episode while reviewing the 15 year old Glen Grant. In summary, the older Glen Grant lineup was adequate. But after tasting the 15 year old, I'm content to let this 10 year old and the 16 year old go in favor of the 12 and 18 year olds. Regarding this particular bottle, I liked it. I'm glad I purchased it and pleased to be savoring something that is technically dated, much like the show I'm about to conclude. 3/5.

Smells like honey-lemon tea. The body is perhaps the most delicate scotch I've encountered. The taste begins with prominent cereal grains, followed by honey sweetness in the finish, mixed with oak spice. The honey flavor needs a few sips to be noticed, but nothing is off-putting. I can see how this would be used in the Chivas Regal blend to soften it. Still, very palatable but not very impactful. My Rating Glossary: Two Stars: "I'd rather be drinking lite beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Posh rubbish." Three Stars: "I love whisk(e)y. This is average love." Three 1/2 Stars: "May buy again." Four Stars: "I've got to get you into my life." Four 1/2 Stars: "Better than drugs." Five Stars: "Life is good. Whisky makes it better."

Glen Grant 10 Year Old (40%) Glen Grant 10 Year Old (40%) A distillery not particularly well-known in this country. [Credentials] Highly praised by Jim Murray Highly praised by Michael Jackson There's even a song called Glen Grant One of the TOP 5 best-selling globally Accounts for 70% of single malt sales in Italy / #1 market share Key malt in Chivas Regal Nose: A scent of cotton candy, flowers, and pear spreads vibrantly. This sweet aroma lifts the spirits even before tasting. It's reminiscent of fabric softener or perfume. The fruitiness is similar to Calvados. It smells like lemon scones coated in white sugar. Taste: The 'pear' flavor, often mentioned in tasting notes, is very noticeable. Overall, the weight and texture are very light. Perhaps this is the lightest whisky I've ever had. It leaves a subtle oakiness and freshness. Finish: It feels quite short. Due to its lightness, there's no lingering weight on the palate, almost no tingle or aftertaste. This makes me reach for another sip quickly. #ExperienceThePearAroma #TheStrengthsOfLightnessCreateDistinctiveness #MightBeUnderwhelmingForExperiencedWhiskyDrinker

Nose: A pleasant blend of Floral and Fruity (Apple, Pear) notes. Hints of Orange and Lemon Zest (reminiscent of Lemon pastry from Upper-Wagon), Vanilla Cream, and a touch of Cinnamon Spice. (8/10) Palate: Light texture and weak on the palate. It's too subtle to fully convey the nose's flavors. Only Vanilla and Honey are noticeable. (5/10) Finish: Short with some Bitterness. (4/10) This is a very subtle dram, good for enjoying on a warm day.

Aroma: Honey, pear, apple, oat, cereal grain, white wine, lemon, toffee, creamy vanilla, grass, mild vegetal funk, moderate ethanol burn. Flavor: Pear, honey, apple, toffee, creamy vanilla, lemon, grass, cereal grain, moderate alcohol bite, with a fairly long finish featuring lingering toffee, grainy (almost chalky), and fruity flavors. While I haven't experienced many Speysides, I find this one appealing. It has a bit more intensity than some others I've tried, likely due to its 10-year age.

Considering the cost, I revisit this bottle periodically. Both the aroma and flavor possess a peculiar "graininess" or "fermented character" that's difficult to pinpoint but isn't particularly appealing. To be fair, if you search for it, you can detect young dried pear or apricot.