Grant’s The Family Reserve (40%, OB, 2014)

• ABV: 40%
• Age: NAS
• Bottling: OB, William Grant & Sons
• Category: Blended scotch whisky
• Cost: £17.45 from Master of Malt
• Origin: n/a
• Vintage: undeclared

What they say

A blended whisky from William Grant & Sons, this was awarded a Silver medal at the 2007 International Wine and Spirits Competition.

Official tasting notes:

The nose is quite soft and light. There are notes of malted barley and toasted cereals with the requisite sweetness. The palate is of good body and quite sweet. There are notes of toffee and caramel with vanilla fudge and a touch of gentle, supple oak. The finish is of medium-length.

What I say

The original/staple Grant’s blended whisky before the 2018 redesign meant this was dropped from their range and replaced with the Triple Wood Blend.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Antique amber gold (9/20), chunky legs and large tears.
• Nose: Spirity/alcoholic, lemon pledge/flash/cleanser, rounded and fruity, citric orange too, cream, fudge, buttery, cereal barley, vanilla sponge cake with lemon drizzle icing.
• Taste: Zesty and lively, mealy, cereal barley, very citric and zesty, lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, some caramel and fudge, toffee, oak, butterscotch and a hint of earthy peat.
• Finish: medium-long, bitter spices and sweet toffee combine.

Overall

Interesting, a little bitter overall, quite simple on the nose but thankfully more complexity in the palate.

Score 78/100

Don’t take my word for it:

Bloggers submit link to your review