I do know chapter 5 has been launched final weekend, however we’re nonetheless catching up with chapters three and 4 of the Whiskyland collection. The primary is a Glen Grant 1993, just like one of many final bottlings of the Sponge collection. The opposite one is even older: Benriach 1991. Each from refill casks.
Glen Grant 31 yo 1993 (52,7%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2024, refill bourbon barrel, 129 btl.)
Nostril: good and juicy fruits, like aromatic peaches and nectarines, pears, oranges and pineapple cubes. The combo of sweetness and tartness is spot on, and is enhanced by a velvety layer of waxy notes. Then beeswax, honey almond, delicate vanilla cake and a suble trace of meadow flowers.
Mouth: nonetheless an attractive fruitiness at its core, now clearly exhibiting apricots, apples, tangerines and mango. Then pineapple cubes once more, in addition to some syrupy touches and sultanas. Good viscosity. Mid-palate it exhibits a light peppery tinge from the oak, whereas a light-weight mineral edge seems, balancing the sweetness.
End: medium size, on light oak, a light-weight toffee / honey combo and a few natural tea.
Actually lovely Glen Grant. One thing is occurring across the age of 30 for many distilleries, proper?General a basic outdated Speyside single malt, together with the good waxy contact. Obtainable from Decadent Drinks or retailers like The Whisky Trade.
Benriach 33 yo 1991 (55,9%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2024, refill sherry hogshead, 118 btl.)
Nostril: begins oily, with loads of orchard fruits, faint hints of papaya, melons and a spoonful of sunshine honey. Bitter plums and peaches, together with gentle floral notes, maybe peonies. Then chalky hints, liquorice wooden and chamomile (rising stronger quickly), in addition to honeysuckle and shy mineral notes. One in all these sherry casks which have little or no sherry in any respect, besides perhaps a Fino contact.
Mouth: candy and fruity, nonetheless oily though there’s additionally a barely almondy and nearly mentholated aspect that makes it much less easy-going. Bananas with grapefruits, yellow plums with elderflower. Lemon peels, making it more and more zesty over time. Gentle ginger and roots. Fruitiness with a inexperienced edge and even a touch of aspirin ultimately.
End: medium size, on linden tea, grapefruit and oak.
As a lot as we’d wish to expertise it once more, that is removed from the Seventies profile with the identical age. The nostril is the nicest half right here, on the palate it will get barely sharper. Considering the value, I have to admit I had even larger hopes. Obtainable from Decadent Drinks. Rating: 89/100
