Glen Grant 1997 (Ian MacLeod Chieftain’s)

Christopher Hayn — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 20:37:01 +0000

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.

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

Laphroaig 1994 (Ian MacLeod Chieftain’s)

Christopher Hayn — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 12:31:01 +0000

One more for today. After the official 21 Years Old, let’s have the Laphroaig 1994 21 Years Old Chieftain’s bottled by Ian MacLeod.

Facts

Laphroaig 1994 (Ian MacLeod Chieftain’s )

Name:	Laphroaig 1994
Bottler:	Ian MacLeod
Bottling Series:	Chieftain’s
Distilled:	May 1994
Bottled:	July 2015
Age:	21 Years Old
Category:	Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery:	Laphroaig
Cask Type:	Bourbon Hogshead
Cask No.:	5039
No. of Bottles:	327
Strength:	46.0% Vol.
Colored:	No
Chill Filtered:	No

Nose

A little bit of medicine, iodine and ash smoke. Therefore a lot of vanilla. Green apples and coconuts followed by more fruits. Honeyed seaweed.

Taste

Sweet. Peaty ash and seaweed seasoned with rose pepper. Followed by nougat caramel, lemons, and candyfloss. Ends with firewood and licorice.

Finish

Long. Smooth and sweet. Herbs. A bit of cold smoke.

Overall

Very good, but everything is a bit too gentle and tamed for my taste.

Score: 88 / 100

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Glen Grant 1997 (Ian MacLeod Chieftain’s)

Laphroaig 1994 (Ian MacLeod Chieftain’s)