Grants Cask Editions No.1 Ale Cask Finish Blended Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The influences of Balvenie and Glenfiddich (also produced by William Grant and Sons) are the basis for Grant's blended whiskies. The company has recently expanded its range with three new releases offering exceptional value for money and unusual depth of flavour by blended whisky standards. In fact, in a blind line up you'd be forgiven for thinking these were single malts.

Like most distilleries with history, Grant's have accrued some colourful stories. Soon after William Grant began distilling in 1887 his sole distributor collapsed, and Grant was left with no outlet for continuing sales. He urgently needed to invent and market his own brand. In desperation, he passed the challenge onto his son-in-law, who, so the story goes, made over five hundred calls to various firms around the country. He managed to sell one dozen bottles! Business gradually improved, and the original Grants we know today was suitably marketed under the "Steadfast" label. The product enhanced its image to cater for numerous international markets, including the adoption of its striking triangular bottle. Its been rumoured that the whisky had favour amongst several heavy drinking Hollywood actors, purely on account of the bottle shape. If they dropped it on stage during rehearsals, it was guaranteed not to roll too far!

Grant's Cask Edition No.1 is reputedly the only Scotch whisky to be finished in barrels that have previously held ale. Master Blender, Brian Kinsman, fills casks with Edinburgh Ale for 30 days then replaces it with aged Grant’s whisky. The blend then mellows for up to four months, picking up "...creaminess and silky malt flavours".

Tasting note: Pale gold appearance with a pale straw hue. Moderate aromas offer notes of sweet grains, dusty cocoa and old cigar box. Unusual. Exceptionally soft and pure throughout, the palate delivers medium dry flavours that are difficult to pin down, with dried fruit / cocoa notes combining with almost chewy grains into the aftertaste. Fascinating and different, but not ground breaking, yet given the more than fair pricing, this should be a no brainer buy for whisky completionists. 40% Alc./Vol.

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