Glen Grant 31yo 1976/2008 (58.6%, Douglas Laing Platinum Selection, Sherry, 196 Bts.12/’76 B02/’08)

A single cask bottling, limited to an out turn of 196 bottles, from Douglas Laing & Co with a very deep Mahogany color, matured in sherry casks at cask strength and without the additional of caramel. The nose is of rich sherry, dried fruit, raisins, oranges, black cherries and then some really good dry wood notes but not over whelming, in good balance. For butt heads, this is a dram you will cherish, the sherry is very good. With time in the glass the aromas roil out of the glass and a little hand warming only increases the experience. The taste is surprisingly gentle at first and then becomes quite strong with a blast of red cedar and then afore mentioned fruit along with tobacco and leather and dramatic dry wood notes; the mouth is sucked dry it seems by the oak influence; like a really old antique cup board or even an entire antique shop. An odd set of descriptors but in the mouth it works. There is also some unsweetened black tea and more of the antique shop. The finish is quite dry and austere along with the sherry and the oak notes, all very well intermingled. It would seem that the ‘distillery character’ is missing in action but no matter this is really good. After a few minutes the dryness melds into some extreme sweetness.

Very enjoyable but a little one dimensional; if you like this style of whisky then this one is for you. The nose is definitely the best part however the taste and finish are not far behind.

C$510

Score 89 points

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SAMPLE IMAGE - ACTUAL BOTTLE NOT AS SHOWN!