Merry Christmas! We’re celebrating with two Glen Grant single malts distilled within the Nineteen Fifties. This was a time when sherry casks had been principally transport casks, in addition to ‘native’ casks that contained correct sherry. Most importers created their very own mix within the UK, from Oloroso and PX elements that arrived individually. Again then sherry might nonetheless be offered immediately from the barrel in pubs or outlets.
Since 1793, Avery’s of Bristol has constructed a repute as one of many UK’s most pioneering wine retailers. The repute of their whisky bottlings is actually excessive too. Bristol was the middle of sherry wine import within the 18th and nineteenth century, well-known for its Bristol Milk and later Bristol Cream type. Along with Harvey’s, Mackenzie, Knowledge & Warter or Duff Gordon, Avery’s offered a great deal of sherry – in 1864 nearly 50% of the overall wine imports to England had been sherry. As a aspect impact they ended up with loads of well-seasoned sherry casks.
I attempted this from a bottle opened by Angus McRaild. Heartfealt thanks!
Glen Grant 13 yo 1959 (75 proof, Avery’s 1972, Spanish oak casks, 26 2/3 Fl. Ozs)
Nostril: beautiful deep sherry certainly. A variety of black raisins, dates and figs, varied honeys and high-end tobacco. Hints of espresso flavoured toffee, some meaty tones and caramelized walnuts. Then additionally outdated natural liqueurs and even a candy medicinal observe. Moist soil and eucalyptus within the distance. I’d have thought the ABV was greater, such is the depth and richness.
Mouth: like an excellent Cream sherry, with all of the candy goodness of treacle, blackberry jam, forest fruits and raisins. It reveals an awesome (darkish) fruitiness and vibrance together with drier, meaty notes and extra of those natural liqueurs. Then again to cassis (massive time), hints of darkish chocolate, outdated Maury or Rivesaltes, earlier than shifting in direction of even darker hints of roasted walnuts, salted ganache and candy espresso liqueur. There’s a faint OBE observe of shoe polish too.
End: lengthy lengthy, with thick Armagnac soaked raisins, extra chocolate and low.
Probably the most Christmasy whisky I’ve had in a very long time! A really thick, darkish sherry profile that’s in all probability a bit nearer nonetheless to a correct outdated sherry than different whiskies from that period. As if somebody poured in Cream sherry till the steadiness was good. What a deal with!
Gordon & MacPhail additionally launched a few of these sherry bombs from Glen Grant, however this time we’re pairing it with a barely totally different releases. A 1957 bottled in 2011, far lighter in color though it says first-fill sherry butt on the label. I consider this was re-released a few years in the past, as a part of a sequence with a premium inexperienced case.
Glen Grant 1957 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail 2011, first-fill sherry butt #3485, 645 btl.)
Nostril: additionally glorious, regardless of the absence of sherry. Far more on natural honey, with yellow fruit jams, like apricot and yellow plum. Then natural notes come out (candy thyme syrup) with walnut cake and frivolously browned sugar. Possibly a touch of dried banana. Some oily notes beneath, in addition to some candied orange peels, pipe tobacco and gentle black peppercorns.
Mouth: mild and barely fragile, within the sense that the age begins shining via. As a substitute of darkish fruits we get very nice hints of tobacco leaves and natural tea, together with mint leaves and caramelized nuts. Candy barley and hay, in addition to tangerines and dried citrus. Then mid-palate white pepper will get stronger, together with toasted oak and chestnuts, all the time rounded by a beneficiant dollop of natural honey. Maybe a really mild smoky / tarry edge as properly.
End: fairly lengthy, extra spicy now, with the sort of apple / hay / pepper mixture that’s not unusual in Fino sherry. Nonetheless slightly candy and honeyed.
Completely totally different from the Averys bottle. Isn’t it fantastic that sherry casks can go into such reverse instructions? This 1957 may be very elegant and rounded, with extra of the innate barley sweetness and natural honey shining via. Each actually good, however this one looses some extent or two due to the marginally crumbled construction. Rating: 91/100
