Glen Grant 1948/2006 G&M

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 40% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Almost six decades of maturation shape this Glen Grant from the early post-war years. The single malt was distilled in 1948 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2006. It matured for approximately 58 years and dates from a time when the distillery still belonged to its founding family.

Fruity sherry notes and bitter woody tones define its character, joined by citrus fruit, leather, polish and a subtle smoky nuance. Despite its soft opening, it reveals pronounced woody bitterness and a light, rather slender body.

Bottled at 40% alcohol, the whisky comes in a 0.7-litre bottle with a wooden box and a certificate of authenticity. Glen Grant's historic label depicts two Scottish figures; the dark wooden box bears gold-coloured lettering and a red seal.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose combines rich fruit and marmalade notes with gentle sherry and oak spice. Cedar rather than assertive oak shapes the gentle woody aromas, with delicate vanilla and honey woven through them. A meaty note also stands out: with more time in the glass, it recalls an old leather saddle, tanned leather and turpentine-like shoe polish. A very subtle grapefruit note also takes a while to emerge, with earthy tones appearing last.
• Palate: The whisky feels soft on the palate, with ripe fruit, slight oak bitterness and a hint of smoke in the background. With a light, somewhat thin mouthfeel, the flavour opens with citrus fruit and pepper. As it develops, woody bitterness combines with the bitter fruitiness of bitter orange marmalade and grapefruit pith. The wood emerges after a few seconds and becomes increasingly dominant the longer the whisky stays in the mouth. Recurring impressions of tanned leather and turpentine-like polish add to the flavours.
• Finish: Sherry notes return on the long finish. The hot finish carries lingering citrus, white pepper, wood and turpentine-like notes, with good length.

Distillery/Bottler:

Glen Grant is located in Rothes in Scotland's Speyside region. Brothers John and James Grant founded the distillery in 1840. James “The Major” Grant took over in 1872 and expanded it. His technical innovations included tall, slender stills and water-cooled purifiers. He also created the Victorian garden in 1886, bringing together plants and fruits he had encountered on his travels.

For this release, Gordon & MacPhail was responsible for maturing and bottling the whisky distilled by Glen Grant. The company began in Elgin in 1895 as a grocery, wine and spirits shop. John Urquhart and later his son George expanded its stocks of maturing whiskies, matching cask selection to the spirit from individual distilleries. This developed into knowledge of long-term maturation passed down through generations. Its close relationship with distilleries such as Glen Grant is also reflected in the historic, distillery-specific labels under which Gordon & MacPhail releases their whiskies.

Facts: