Glen Grant was founded by James and John Grant, two brothers who had previously made whisky illegally but were finally granted a license in 1840. The Grant family had a number of successful generations that followed to expand the business and even though primary ownership eventually passed out of the family, they still maintain a stake in the company. The Campari Group owns the distillery now and it is one of largest selling single malts in the world, with an annual output of 5.9 million liters. Four tall, slender pot stills create a core line of six single malts – though a good deal also goes into Chivas blends – that features 5 age expressions, including this Glen Grant 15, that range from 10 to 21 years old.
Distillery: Glen Grant
Region: Speyside
Age: 15 years
Strength: 50%
Price: $56.99
Maturation: ex-bourbon
Location: Rothes
Nose: Wintergreen, apple, honey, Myer lemon, vanilla, apple blossom, oregano, celery seed, peat, citronella
Palate: White pepper, honey, honeysuckle, vanilla
Finish: Hibiclens, pepper, vanilla
Comments: It doesn’t need a few drops of water but you’ll find you probably want to anyway.
Adam – I can see why the Glen Grant 15 has historically gone into blends, though I don’t say that as a put down. The nose is layered but subtle and you really have to spend some time teasing out the elements. Lots of autumnal sensations like honey and apple and vanilla. The palate is a surprise with a burst of pepper on the front of the tongue before transitioning rapidly to honey to finish with vanilla, escorted by some light florals. There seems to be a tension between the proofage and the age, the calm and storm, and doesn’t seem to have quite decided on which path it wants to take. A few drops of water really open up the nose, releasing a lovely bloom of perfume-y florals that swallows all the complexity from before. I’m okay with that. It also tamps down on the heat from the alcohol on the palate while still giving a little zing of pepper on the front of the palate that carries through into the finish along with the vanilla, leaving that initial honey playing second fiddle. It feels a more balanced dram with that little water added.
Bill – There’s a brightness here from the lemon and blossom. It’s oily, just the right amount of oily. Not super thick, a little light oily that dance around a while.
Kind of a throwback to childhood.
Henry – Honey, Meyer lemon, and vanilla on the nose. The palate is hot, with a pronounced astringency and savory notes of honeysuckle or privet, fresh herbs, and white pepper. The finish is long, drying, and satisfying, blending elements from both the nose and palate.
Kristin – I liked the variety of smells and tastes, the interweaving of them. A nice mix.
Ben – The Glen Grant 15 is very bright. I’m also getting citronella on the nose. If they make bug spray like this, I will wear it. I feel inspired by all the flavors we’ve talked about. I’m coming up with a chicken wet rub.
Evelyn – I want to make a mint julip out of it. Substituting lilac blossom instead of simply syrup but this would play well with the kind of flavors here.
Sam – For my personal taste it’s a little hot and it doesn’t have the smoke I prefer in my scotch. I don’t think this would be my go to, though I don’t mind it.
Mike – I like the Glen Grant 15. I liked the white pepper, the contrast with the honey or honey suckle. The celery seed quality in the nose. I’m a fan.
Kim – It definitely has an astringent quality. I like the bright citrus to hit and the honeysuckle. Kind of a throwback to childhood.
