Sold Out
In May 2014, Wealth Solutions, thanks to its partnership with Gordon & MacPhail, was proud to present to the public one of the world’s oldest whisky. The beverage was produced in 1948 within the walls of the Glen Grant distillery then matured in a sherry cask no 1369 and bottled after 66 years by Gordon & MacPhail. Each decanter of this whisky is numbered and comes with a special mahogany box. Another feature of this collector’s edition is a book written by Charles MacLean, published especially for the occasion.
Only three years after the end of the World War II and in the year when the Marshall Plan was in effect, cask number 1369 was filled with a fresh distillate. The world faced great transformation; borders, governments and political blocks changed while Glen Grant whisky was aging and gaining its unique aroma and flavour from a cask previously filled with sherry. Today, the golden liquid form was poured – thanks to Gordon & MacPhail – into a mere 160 bottles for collectors and whisky enthusiasts to enjoy.
A limited edition of the oldest whisky from Glen Grant distillery and one of the oldest whiskies in the world requires unique packaging. As the whisky was introduced to the market, Charles MacLean, one of the world’s biggest authorities on whisky, has prepared a special study on the distillery and the project. Each of the numbered Glen Grant 1948 66 YO bottles is accompanied by his book and a specially designed oak case. The uniqueness, limited number, age and exclusive packaging make the Glen Grant 1948 66 YO whisky a unique collector’s item and a good capital investment.
We’re close to the record 70 years old that G&M have recently come up with (Mortlach and Glenlivet). The only 1948 Glen Grant I have tried until now had been blended with some 1961 in a ‘Royal Marriage’ bottling (Charles and Diana). Colour: full gold. Nose: the opposite of the Strachan, with much more roundness and a pretty beehive-y profile, which isn’t unusual in old Glen Grants. Beeswax, honey, pollen, old wood. What’s really striking is this ‘Indian’ side, with some cashew sauce, soft curry sauce, coriander, lemon basil… Also touches of coconut oil, which may suggest the butt was made out of American oak. The ‘Indian’ side is really fascinating, and very unusual (and wonderful.) Mouth: keyword is oaky balance. You feel the oak but you wouldn’t ask for less of it, which is a funny feeling. White pepper, quite a lot of eucalyptus, black Assam, white pepper, cinnamon, stewed peaches, honey sauce, chewing tobacco (as far as I can remember, I may have tried that thrice), then a little Greek retsina wine, certainly a little Chartreuse and lastly, notes of liquorice wood. It’s not often that ‘obvious’ oak tastes this good. A matter of balance indeed… Finish: rather long, a tad gritty now, with notes of chlorophyll and mint. Cough lozenges and cinnamon mints, then bitter oranges and pomegranates. Comments: a wonderful experience, unless you’re firmly against ‘obvious oak’. Loved the mentholated side – and hey, it’s more and more difficult to find whisky that’s older than this humble taster. SGP:471 - 91 points.
Distillery | Glen Grant |
Classification | Single Malt Whisky |
Bottle No./Released | -/160 |
Vintage | 1948 |
Age | 66 |
Bottler | Gordon & MacPhail |
Bottling Date | 2014 |
ABV/ Volume | 46.6%/ 70cl |
Rating/SGP | 91/471 |
Cask Number | 1369 |