Whisky: Glen Grant 24 Year (1995/1997), WhiskySponge No. 56

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 49.8%

Cask: Refill Barrel, Refill Hogshead

Age: 24 Years (Distilled 1995/1997, Bottled 2022)

Nose: Orchard fruits and pastry dough with red apples and pears sliced for a tart, hints of chalk and sawdust, old oak, cider donuts, bath bombs and cream lingered further in.

Palate: Medium-bodied, crushed orchard fruits, apple sauce and juice, sawdust and freshly milled lumber, a kiss of salt and chalk brought forth bath bombs, pepper and oaky vanilla toward the end.

Finish: Medium-length, slightly drying with pastry dough and orchard fruits.

Score: 6 (79)

Mental Image: Apple Orchard Bathhouse

Narrative & Notes: Relaxing and easy-drinking, this Glen Grant felt ideally suited to slip into the background of a social meetup. Perfect for the sort of evening where the whisky is not the point, but you still want something delicious to lubricate the conversation. It may even wow someone expecting an alcohol burn or all scotch to be smokey. I thought this Glen Grant was the most Glenlivet-adjacent I have tried with its big orchard fruits, pastries, and wood.

Smooth and well-rounded, I did wish there was more complexity to the aroma and palate, but not every whisky needs to be a think piece or stroke some deep chord of nostalgia.  This was fine the way it was, though I hoped for something to elevate it up to the next level.

Image Credit: Decadent Drinks