Glen Grant 16 Years Old 1997 9.75 Imperial Leather in a boat chandlery (55.3%, SMWS, Refill Bourbon HH, 285 Bottles, 2013)

• 55.3% ABV, outturn 285 bottles, £53 for 70cl (Glen Grant)
• Score: 49/100

What they say:

Cask No. 9.75

The nose seemed rounded and attractive – dusty hay and pepper on mashed banana – something reminiscent of a boat chandlery (wood, canvas, brass) and the sweetness of sherbet straws, coconut and American Cream Soda. The neat palate delivered milk chocolate coffee creams, champagne truffles, custard cream biscuits and fruit crumble, light spices, tea and toast and a lovely fruit syrup texture. The reduced nose developed vanilla, banana and strawberry blancmange, nutty toffee, buttered cherry scones and some floral soap (chamomile, Imperial Leather). Water lifted the fruitiness of the palate (peach, pear, white grape) – a well-balanced dram from the oldest distillery in Rothes.

Drinking tip: With afternoon tea or while gazing out to sea.

Date Distilled: 3 April 1997
Colour: Golden chintz
Age: 16 years years
Flavour:  Spicy & sweet             
Cask Type: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead             
Whisky Region: Speyside Spey

What we say:

From the Glen Grant distillery (SMWS distillery #9)

Colour:

Light gold

Nose:

Imperial leather soap, sandalwood and chamomile, dry hay and grass

Taste:

Buttery and oily, a little vanilla and custard and lots of soap [Imperial Leather soap], with water soapiness pervades and other more pleasant flavours are lost

Finish:

Thankfully short with a soapy aftertaste

Overall:

Unpleasant, too much soap flavour!