Glen Grant 21 Years Old 1992 Old Particular (51.5%, Douglas Laing, Sherry Butt #10026, 374 bottles, 2013)

• 51.5% ABV, £92.09
• Score: 88/100

What they (Master of Malt) say:

This Glen Grant single malt Scotch whisky was distilled in 1992, long before the distillery was bought by Campari in 2006. Grab a piece of history, expertly bottled by Douglas Laing for their Old Particular range. We all know history tastes pretty darn good, especially when it’s been matured in a sherry cask.

What I say:

Blind dram #4 at the #scallywag twitter tasting event.

Colour:

Ruby amber

Nose:

sherry fizz! old leather books and sweet plum puddings with brandy flambe!

Taste:

nutty, fruity raisins, ginger nuts, mulled wine spices orange/cinnamon etc. just lovely!

Finish:

Long sherry influenced ginger spice

Would I buy it:

Sadly this is beyond the upper limit of my price range for a bottle. My overall feel for this one was that it is an exceptional dram and I would never have guessed that it was 21 Years Old. Therein lies the problem however, I would have expected perhaps a little more deep sherry wood influence and love the whole chocolate or Christmas spice elements that sherry finishing bring to whisky. Perhaps the Glen Grant spirit behind this is just a little too light and fruity still, even after all that maturation time and I felt it didn’t really bring much to the party. The result is more ginger nuts with Cointreau than the full on Christmas spice extravaganza I would have liked. That said if you want something apres-dining at Christmas time that is not too heavily spiced, or if you’re looking for an autumnal dram to warm you up after a walk in the woods admiring the colours of the season – then this is definitely for you.

Thanks to Douglas Laing & Co Ltd. & The Whisky Wire for sample