Glen Grant 15 Year Batch Strength 1st Edition

Possessing the Glen Grant 15 year instead of the Hakushu 12 year. I recall when the Hakushu 12 year old was readily available for $60, tasting like it should cost significantly more. Trying a more recent bottling of the Hakushu 12 year at a reasonable $21 for a 1.5 oz serving, I was let down. Today, if you find Hakushu 12 on shelves, it's approximately $200, yet its taste suggests it should be priced back at $60. What did I recently find marked down to $60? This 2018 batch strength first edition Glen Grant 15 year. The box was covered in dust. And numerous dusty boxes of these remain at liquor stores. Why is Glen Grant overlooked? A critic once named a Yamazaki whisky as his top choice, causing global frenzy not just for Yamazaki, but for all Japanese whisky. That same critic had been hailing Glen Grant 18 as the best Scotch whisky for years, yet no one rushed to buy Glen Grant 18, or any other Glen Grant. Glen Grant produces excellent single malts, and this one is a superb illustration. 50% ABV is my preferred alcohol level – it's simply ideal. And exclusively ex-bourbon aging is my favorite maturation method – it truly allows the spirit to speak for itself, without the suspicion that artificial cask influences are masking imperfections. This spirit is remarkably precise in its flavors, strongly evoking the golden era of the Hakushu 12 year and Japanese whisky in general. The tasting notes include vanilla, graham crackers, lemon, lime, hay, tea, fennel, cloves, and a perfectly balanced hint of bitter spicy oak. It tastes more like Hakushu than Hakushu itself, which I suspect is slightly tainted by a touch of peat and sherry influence. This is Scotch whisky in its purest, most beautiful form; it is authentic. While I consider Chivas Regal to be utter rubbish (due to their use of inferior grain whisky in blends to boost volume and profit), the foundational single malt in their blends, Glen Grant, is an undervalued gem. I'm going to echo the sentiment of a character from a film: They are a fascinating distillery. From the moment they begin production, they are dedicated to perfecting a clean ex-bourbon maturation. I've never witnessed such commitment. This bottle; bottles from this distillery, should not be common finds on shelves. They warrant the fervent praise that Japanese whisky received after critical acclaim. It should be that finding a bottle on a shelf brings me tears of joy. This bottle should command a price similar to a bottle of batch strength Yamazaki 15 year: three million dollars.

- Not chill filtered - It's not stated if coloring is added, but if so, it's very little - Whisky sold exclusively in the North American market - First fill bourbon cask Smell: Vanilla, sweetness, malt, orange and pear citrus, and a bit of green apple. Slight woody notes, tropical fruitiness - I detected something reminiscent of papaya - and a small pepper note that is amplified by the robust alcohol presence. Taste: Woody, sweetness well-balanced with good bitterness, vanilla, citrus, slightly salty, good oiliness, peppery notes amplified by the strong alcohol impact. Finish: Medium to short. Warm, with bitterness, sweetness, woody notes, and malt alternating in the mouth. General Impressions: A whisky with a great price and honest ABV, however, the alcohol is very pronounced for a 15-year-old whisky. It's possible to find 10 or 12-year-old whiskies with similar alcohol content - with ABV between 46% and 48% - and with practically unnoticeable alcohol aroma. A 15-year-old whisky should be much less "harsh" than what I observed in this bottle. Otherwise, it has all the beautiful characteristics one seeks in a whisky aged in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, good oiliness, sweetness, along with woody and fruity notes typical of this wood. The price is great and it can be found in some duty-free shops or online sellers. I recommend tasting it with a good ice sphere or a few drops of water to soften the alcohol impact, which is very pronounced in this 15-year-old Glen Grant version.

Nose: Vanilla, pears, and oranges are present, along with spices and a noticeable alcohol kick for a 50% ABV spirit. The oak contributes toffee notes and possibly a hint of oat. Overall, it's more citrus and oak-forward. Taste: The flavor profile shifts to vanilla and cereal grains, with the fruit notes becoming more pronounced oak tannins and a touch of bitterness. However, this gives way to a pleasant oaky and vanilla finish that lasts a medium-long time (quite good for a 15-year-old). Adding water significantly enhances the experience, bringing out more fruit, reducing the tannins, and mellowing the bitterness. This is a very well-crafted whisky. If I hadn't known better, I might have assumed a small portion was aged in ex-sherry casks, but it's entirely ex-bourbon and it's excellent. I can't recall the exact price, but it was around $80. At that price point, I find it difficult to recommend enthusiastically, but I still consider it a good pour. Initially rated 2.25, it's a great whisky for fans of ex-bourbon casks and offers enough complexity to appeal beyond that specific profile. I'm also impressed by the finish, which I'm now elevating to 2.5 as it rivals some 21-year-olds I've sampled. The reason it's not reaching higher scores, despite what might seem like a rave review, is its excessive dryness, which detracts from my overall enjoyment. However, it requires that ABV to maintain its mouthfeel and creamy coating.

If distilleries were students and I a teacher, Glen Grant would be a top candidate for "Most Improved." Their prior range - Major’s Reserve, 10 Year, and 16 Year - were disappointing (I missed the 16, so perhaps it was special). Their current collection is FAR superior; the 12 significantly surpasses the 10, the 18 is wonderful, and this 15 year might be the finest. The aroma is a complete fruit medley with American oak; following a substantial initial wave of sweet coconut and vanilla, numerous ripe fruits emerge - banana, pear, apple, pineapple, guava, and even some mango. To add some spice, notes of crystallized ginger and white pepper appear after some time in the glass. The taste is pleasingly smooth and rich, well-harmonizing the oak's impact and the spirit's light, fruity character. This pour achieves a flawless, challenging equilibrium between vibrancy and depth. The finish is extensive and persistent, with that sweet oakiness continuing. There's a touch of heat, but for a higher proof bottling, it's not harsh at all. This is an excellent dram, particularly for a bottle under $70. Let's hope the Glen Grant stillhouse crew continues in this direction!

I finished bottles of the GG 10 and 16 previously. They were acceptable, but nothing particularly remarkable. This marks my initial encounter with their present lineup, so I'm hopeful for an improvement. Nose: Apple, pear, and apricot. Golden raisins. Lemon, lime, and orange citrus. Vanilla, caramel, and toffee. Prominent malt and vanilla frosting. Clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Apple, pear, and apricot. Cinnamon red hots. Toffee, vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar. Salt water taffy. Sugar cookies. Cashew and almond. Clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Apple, pear, apricot, raisin, and plum. Sugar cookies. Caramel, toffee, and vanilla. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. A finish of moderate duration. This is a very good whisky. It has a solid, somewhat distinctive character with a pleasing mouthfeel. After sampling the 10 and 16 and comparing them to this, I believe it's reasonable to conclude that this profile excels at a higher proof. For $100, this offers good value for a 15-year-old bottled at 50%. My first try of Glen Grant's updated range is a success and is definitely an enhancement over the older expressions I sampled. Well done, Glen Grant. 4/5.

Surprisingly light in color for a 15-year-old spirit, especially considering it was aged in first-fill bourbon casks. However, the appearance is misleading, offering far more complexity than anticipated. Smell: Peaches are prominent. Delightful hints of vanilla and brown sugar are also present, evoking a peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. A subtle floral note completes the aroma. Taste: A few drops of water were added to reduce the alcohol content, though it doesn't drink like a 50% ABV initially. Fruity notes, particularly cooked peaches and dried apricots, emerge quickly. There are also bold spices like cinnamon, continuing the peach cobbler theme. I don't detect many floral notes on the palate as suggested by the smell. Aftertaste: Medium to long. A pleasant bitterness remains on the palate. Burnt sugar and faint bitter dark chocolate linger. The dry tingle on the roof of the mouth enhances the experience. Overall, I truly appreciated this spirit. It's a delicious, fruit-forward spirit full of flavor. I would definitely suggest it.