At the Whisky Show, I was lucky enough to taste a 1952 Glen Grant, bottled by Gordon and MacPhail and served as one of the dream drams. The second 1950s G&M was a 1954 Mortlach as part of the Mortlach masterclass I took. I didn’t take notes for the 1952 Glen Grant, but as part of Gordon and MacPhail’s ‘The Wood Makes the Whisky’ campaign, there was a 1954 Glen Grant, which was actually pretty close to the 1952 I had at the show. So I’m happy to be able to share that note with you.
Photo Credit: drinkmonger.com
Gordon and MacPhail Glen Grant 1954 (40% ABV, NCF, NC)
Appearance: Deep mahogany, very viscous, very long legs.
Nose: The old burnt wax/old furniture polish found in all these early 1950s G&M casks. Dried fruit (figs, sultanas, dates and pruins), some cloves. A drop of water brings out a fresher note of sherry, with a cleaner hit of varnish.
Palate: Burnt wax, sherry dryness and some sourness. The oak is very noticable (60 years in cask, you’d expect nothing less) and imparts a very dry bitter note. Some mild spices and a gentle sweetness. The drop of water added makes it a tad more bitter and tannic.
Linger: Dry and waxy, with a tannic bitterness and some faint sweetness that leaves the tongue very dry.
Conclusion
Classic old sherry, very 1950s G&M, with the same note as the other Glen Grants and Mortlachs from that period.