Glen Grant 40yo

Today I have the pleasure to share my tasting notes of a Glen Grant 40yo distilled in 1973, aged in sherry casks and bottled by Samaroli in 2013. That’s not every day that we have the pleasure to taste a so aged Speyside and, when it comes, we always expects a great moment of pleasure. As Samaroli is one of the last Italian whisky trading companies, which bottled some of the most researched bottles, expectations are even greater. And it’s even better when it’s offered :p (Thanks Jurgen!)

Nose: Fairly sweet with notes of tea, plums and chocolate. A touch of caramel also, before some leather and tobacco notes. A little something else, quite unexpectedly, like olives.

Mouth: With a so sweet nose, I did not expect to feel as much alcohol in the mouth (feels more than its 45%), it’s less fresh than the nose, at the first sip we are more on the wood, leather and tobacco. Some fruity notes of plums and grapes come at the end of the mouth, a pity they are not more present (and from the beginning).

Finish: Long and dry, on the wood with a touch of raisins.

Note: 88/100

I admit that I hoped much better than that from this Glen Grant 40yo, especially cause Speyside sherry casks have my preference. A very good whisky but lacks complexity, finesse… And especially fruits and spices.

There have been several editions of this whisky, you will not find this one for less than 450 €… Much too expensive for what it is.