Glen Grant 12 Year

Aroma - intensely honeyed, delicate floral notes, pineapple, orange zest, discovering something new with each taste is quite enjoyable Taste - smooth on the palate, adding water significantly enhances the flavors, revealing notes of apricot and honey Finish - sweet, lingers briefly and fills the mouth with a burst of honey before fading quickly, concluding with a prolonged sweetness that gradually recedes, a slight sting in the nostrils upon exhalation Score - 3.75, after tasting with and without water, I recommend adding a drop or two Scoring Guide 5.0 - Outstanding, unparalleled 4.5 - Excellent, a staple bottle 4.0 - Very good, highly enjoyable, a reliable choice 3.5 - Good, would gladly try again 3.0 - Average 2.5 - Acceptable, still drinkable 2.0 - Inferior, drinkable but not pleasurable 1.5 and below—would avoid unless absolutely necessary

Pale yellow with thick streaks. The scent is strongly of tart apple skin, quickly shifting to vanilla and coffee creamer, with toasted wheat bread. There's a sherry sweetness with a hint of sugary cherry. A floral lavender/perfume note lingers at the end of the aroma. The taste is like tart apple pie dusted with nutmeg. Caramel and toffee are present, along with lem drop tartness and lemongrass. The sherry reappears, but this time it's tannic and metallic, reminiscent of a jar of pennies. The finish has brown sugar sweetness with a dollop of caramel. Vanilla pipe tobacco notes emerge, followed by more metallic tannins. Tart cherry and spicy sugarplums are there, with just a hint of citrus peel. This is a lovely, sweet (but not excessively so) concoction that balances soft, sugary elements with sharper, tart, and metallic contrasts.

This might be my least preferred bottle of scotch I've bought. It's still better than most bourbons, but I'd opt for Glenlivet 12 or Glenmorangie 10 at this price. I'm searching for my everyday drink. Aroma: Vanilla, orange zest, clove, astringent. Taste: Green apples. Vanilla, very thin and dry hay. A tiny bit of chocolate and spice, which is pleasant, but the hay is overpowering. Aftertaste: Hay. Pine sap. Sulphuric. What should I do with the remainder of this bottle? I've tried it neat, with a little water, and on ice, all without success. If you're in MN and happen to enjoy this, I have a gift for you.

On the nose: crisp orchard fruits like apple and pear, lightly baked with sugar and spice, a few darker fruits, a hint of cherry, stone fruit, golden raisins, honey, a whisper of vanilla, lemon peel, light floral notes, and a touch of flaky, buttery pastry. On the palate: apple, pear, cherry, honey, malt, a floral, grassy note, lemony citrus zest, a slight oiliness that coats lightly, a bit of nuttiness, white peppery spice that lingers briefly, and a hint of barrel char. It's not bad at all. A pretty approachable dram that's enjoyable. Considering the price, it's great. I really liked this one.

The aroma is floral with pears, vanilla, and a hint of lemon, smelling fresh and delicious. Later, apple and watermelon candy appear. The taste is round with a slight bitterness, like citrus peel, along with warm honey, apples, and that watermelon candy again. The aftertaste of lemon peel and honey is very satisfying and lasts a good while. Overall, it's a classic bourbon barrel-aged scotch at a very reasonable price and a good ABV. I found it strange and disappointing right after opening, but it became good after about a week.

43% ABV Aroma: baked apples, fruit, honey, floral, nutty, damp wood Palate: dry, initial spice on the tongue, nut shell, fruit sweetness, malt. Finish: light, caramel/honey sweetness, fruit pastry. This bottle was a gift, and I was pleasantly surprised by its high caliber and superb tasting experience. It is clean and balanced. I also appreciate the 43% ABV. A truly wonderful discovery! A genuine hidden treasure. While the cask types are not specified, the flavor profile suggests ex-bourbon casks.