Whisky: Glen Grant 23 Year (1992), Cadenhead’s for The Nectar

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 51.1%

Cask: Bourbon Hogshead

Age: 23 Years (Distilled 1992, Bottled 2016)

Nose: Apple orchard notes prevailed, accompanied by freshly crushed apple juice, cider, hints of cinnamon, and apple cider donuts; a buttery pastry crust offered up hints of pie, with subtle floral notions of apple blossom and orris.

Palate: Medium-bodied, juicy and sweet with a touch of fruity acidity, big orchard notes with barrels of apples and fresh apple cider, hints of cinnamon and ginger, wood oils and resins appeared on the back with rose, apple blossom, and orris to provide an almost perfumed conclusion.

Finish: Medium to long with apples, pastries, and a touch of fragrant wood.

Score: 6 (78)

Mental Image: Apple Orchard Gift Shop

Narrative & Notes: The aroma was very apple-y, with juice, sauce, and cider popping out of the sweet, fruity, and slightly acidic apple notes. There were hints of something more complex in the background, teases of florals that brought to mind some of my favorite slightly saline and floral bath time whiskies. Those bath time-perfumed floral elements were bolder on the palate, coming in after a visit to the apple orchard to provide a very flowery finish. I could easily see this appearing to be a touch soapy to some, as those floral notes are often found in hand soaps— I know the decorative bars my grandmother kept in the guest bathroom would have been right at home with this whisky.

Overall, fresh, clean, and easy to drink, there was plenty to like about this mellow Glen Grant. There was not much going on, but there were no obvious flaws or significant issues (as long as those florals don’t give you the impression of soap).