1960’s Grant’s Stand Fast 70 proof 26 fl oz

An old Grant's blend containing Girvan, Balvenie and Glenfiddich. An older bottling from the 1960s.

By the way, as the old label tells us, ‘Stand Fast’ is the slogan of the Clan Grant.

Colour: gold.

Nose: Grainy, and hints of hay, I’d swear Balvenie is recognisable, with these apricots, mirabelles, all-flower honey, and ripe pears. There’s even some natural vanilla ‘from the spirit’, that is to say not vanillin from the oak, although the whole remained bright and vibrant. A little menthol and aniseed notes? Perhaps a notch less complex than the old Chivas, But it’s a very fine nose!

Mouth: This is very fine! It’s smokier than contemporary malts, and even quite ashy, and would unfold on smoked meat, cocoa, tobacco, and some kind of umami. Lovage, a drop of soy sauce, more tobacco, some salt, smoked tea… It’s really perfect, balanced, firm, rather more ‘Highlands’ than its contemporary siblings, and never just ‘smooth’.

Finish: medium, still salty and ashy, with bitter oranges and more herbs. Perhaps a little tarragon, just for fun?

Comments: quite amazing.