Glen Grant 18 Years Review

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Glen Grant Distillery, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation Process: Utilizes unique purifiers in the distillation process, a method pioneered by Major Grant, enhancing the whisky's elegance and delicacy.
Maturation Process: Aged for 18 years in hand-picked oak casks, specifically ex-bourbon casks.
Age Statement: 18 years.
Color and Clarity: Vibrant golden color, light and clear.
Bottle Design: Features a golden imprint with two labels, celebrating the millionth bottle sold. The design reflects the whisky's elegance and heritage.

Balance of Flavors: Offers a complex and balanced profile with a smooth, elegant character.
Unique Characteristics: The whisky is distinguished by its delicate notes of vanilla, malt, caramel, and resins, resulting from its long maturation in ex-bourbon casks. It has a long, sweet, and spicy finish with a hint of nuttiness and a very faint bitterness from the American white oak.
Comparison: Unlike many older whiskies that are finished in sherry casks for added depth and aroma, Glen Grant 18 Years Old maintains a rare and elegant profile through exclusive maturation in ex-bourbon casks.

Anecdotes: The distillery's use of purifiers in the distillation process was an innovation introduced by Major Grant, making Glen Grant renowned for its delicate style of whisky. The distillery, founded in 1840, has a rich history with Major Grant playing a pivotal role in its development.
Trivia: The distillery changed ownership about a decade ago and is now owned by Gruppo Campari.

Historical Context: Glen Grant has a longstanding history dating back to 1840, with its innovations in distillation contributing significantly to the Scotch whisky industry.
Geographical Influence: The distillery's location in Scotland and its use of local resources, like the pure water and climate, are crucial to the whisky's character.

"This is a not typical old whisky because nowadays people go over and finish those whiskies or have them matured and reused and fresh sherry casks will give it depth and sherry aroma and this is Au Vogue and this one is an ex-bourbon cask maturation and this is quite rare and shows whisky in a very elegant fine way already floral and vanilla showing in the air." - Horst Luening
"A lot of spiciness in it very good hmm I always wondered why the Glen Grand have so few matured old whiskies." - Horst Luening

Glen Grant 18 Years Old is a single malt Scotch whisky aged in ex-bourbon casks, known for its vibrant golden color and complex flavor profile featuring vanilla, malt, caramel, and resins.
The distillery's use of purifiers, a method pioneered by Major Grant, contributes to the whisky's elegant and delicate style.
The whisky stands out for its exclusive maturation in ex-bourbon casks, offering a unique taste compared to those finished in sherry casks.
Glen Grant has a rich history and is now owned by Gruppo Campari, with hopes for more aged expressions in the future.

For Whisky Connoisseurs: The unique maturation process and the historical significance of Glen Grant 18 Years Old make it a must-try.
For New Whisky Drinkers: Its smooth, elegant profile with balanced flavors of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of spice provides an accessible introduction to aged Scotch whiskies.
For Collectors: The bottle's design and the whisky's rarity, especially given its specific maturation process, add value to any collection.