Grant's 12 Year

Smell: Grain and honey, with hints of sherry and dried fruit. Subtle baking spices like nutmeg and caraway, a whisper of orange, plus some vanilla and a touch of oak. No clear grain aroma is present. The scent is a bit reserved and delicate, but quite pleasant. Taste: Gentle, smooth, and velvety on the initial impression. Nutty and malty milk chocolate, a little light toffee, and pannacotta. A wonderfully smooth mouthfeel. The flavor profile isn't complex, but the elements present are enjoyable. Aftertaste: Brief. The vanilla and chocolate notes linger for a bit before fading into a mild honeyed finish. Absolutely no sourness or metallic bitterness is detected. I purchased this today on a whim from a local liquor establishment. I was unaware that Grant's produced a 12-year-old blend, and later discovered it has been discontinued. It's a shame, as this could have become a favorite accessible blended scotch. I've already decided to save this for times when I desire something comforting and easy to drink. Very well-balanced, it's a mellow and gently honeyed spirit that is dangerously easy to consume. It reminds me of Grand Old Parr, Haig Gold, and Dewar's 15 year – indeed, it's another old-fashioned blend a grandfather would have appreciated. There is no harshness at all; it exemplifies an easy-drinking spirit. It bears no resemblance whatsoever to standard Grant's or Grant's Family Reserve, being vastly superior to either. The bottle includes one of those plastic pour spouts commonly found on many TRE spirit containers, suggesting it was typically available only duty-free in Australia, but some entered our retail channels. It was the sole bottle available at the shop today, regrettably. Had there been more, I would have returned to purchase the remainder. Reportedly, this contains 15-20 malt and grain whiskies in a 50:50 malt-to-grain composition, featuring Balvanie, Glenfiddich, and Kinivie malts. The individual components are aged for 12 years before being combined in first-fill bourbon casks for an additional 6 months. This final maturation period is credited with imparting the velvety texture. My impression is that this was/is exclusively available in Europe, Australasia, and South America. If you happen to find a bottle, I suggest giving it a try – it's remarkably good for a Grant's blended scotch, and I'm placing it at the upper end of the "Average" category. "Average": 79/100 (2.75 stars)

Sugary and fruity.