On the nineteenth day of the Dramcalendar, we have the Glen Grant 1997, bottled by Ian MacLeod as part of their Chieftain’s bottling series.

I am not sure what to expect from today’s bottling to be honest. Sure, I heard of peated cask finishes before, but a whole maturation in an Islay cask? That’s a new one for me.

Facts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:	Glen Grant 1997
Bottler:	Ian MacLeod
Bottling Series:	Chieftain’s
Bottled for:	Germany
Distilled:	May 1997
Bottled:	February 2015
Age:	15 Years Old
Category:	Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery:	Glen Grant
Cask Type:	Islay Cask Matured
Cask No.:	70451
No. of Bottles:	318
Strength:	55.8% Vol.
Colored:	No
Chill Filtered:	No

Nose

A summer air breeze. Pears, pineapples, mangoes and honeyed heather. Then lots of cold peat smoke and something I would describe as lavender perfume. Taken altogether, the aroma feels somewhat “synthetic” to me, for the lack of a better word.  

Taste

Strong and pretty spicy with pepper, chili and ginger. The peat smoke is even louder now. Pears and pineapples again, backed up by citrus bonbons and hints of honey.

Finish

Long and drying. Sweet peat smoke. Ginger and heather. Sour aftertaste.

Overall

Well that was all pretty weird and confusing, but not necessarily in a bad way. The perfect dram to trick your friends in a blind tasting.

Score: 81 / 100