Every time a Wu Dram Clan bottling is announced, I get a bit of a rush. Especially with these older ones they have set the bar so high, and so far they’ve managed to keep it there. This one was a bit of a surprise for me. Glen Grant hasn’t been the epitome of sherry casks that it used to be for a while (disregarding those ridiculously old Gordon & MacPhail bottlings). Also, Wu Dram Clan generally doesn’t go for these heavily sherry’d whiskies.
Of course, I’m on the late side with my review. A lot of shops have already sold out of their allocation, especially outside of Germany. I saw one at Passie voor Whisky but was too late with trying to bottle-share it. Luckily, the mentioned sample lets me try it after all!
Sniff:
There is a LOT of mocha on this one. Dark dried fruits too: raisins, plums and dates. It’s surprisingly intense with heaps of black pepper, and a bit of chilies too. Strong hints of oak and sandalwood. It reminds me of Karuizawa. After a few minutes there are notes of strawberry and pine appearing.
Sip:
The palate starts quite fiercely. The dryness of the oak with notes of black pepper are intense. After a few seconds there is a dried fruit sweetness coming through, although the heat isn’t diminishing at all. Oak, sandalwood, strawberry, it’s all there again.
Swallow:
The finish has a reappearance of heat, although it’s more warmth at this point. Interestingly, and I’ve never had this before, it reminds me of strawberry chewing gum. Apart from oak, and more subtle notes of pepper. Dark crusty bread, fruit syrup. A long finish.
Dear lord… If there is a style of sherry cask that is ‘it’, this one is it. It’s not something you find often anymore and it reminds me both of 1970s Longmorn, Glen Grant, Strathisla and other such whiskies, as much as it reminds me of Karuizawa. Those were rather similar, of course. What an epic dram. This is a great way of closing out the year on a high note for Wu Dram Clan!
92/100
Some shops in Germany still have some bottles at around € 270