Gordon & MacPhail just released the fifth and final release in the Mr George Legacy. The 1953, 1957, 1958 and 1959 reached some of the highest scores on this blog. This series saw the light in 2021 and now comes to an end.
The new addition is a Glen Grant 1954, again paying tribute to George Urquhart’s legacy for the success of single malts. This is 70 years old, no less! Back in 1954 it was filled into a fresh sherry puncheon – the fact that whisky stays such a long time in first-fill wood without becoming undrinkable, is almost unbelievable. It is a testimony of Mr George’s understanding of spirit and wood.
The final bottling has an outturn of only 130 bottles, making it even more desirable.
Glen Grant 70 yo 1954 ‘Mr George Legacy’ (50,5%, Gordon & MacPhail 2025, first fill sherry puncheon #1823, 130 btl.)
Nose: classic furniture polish at first – always a great element. This combines nicely with hints of prunes in armagnac and plenty of sweet and sour berry notes. Blueberry pastry but also fresh raspberries and nice cherry jam (after some time). Then also mint and eucalyptus oils, orange peels and clove. Leather, walnuts, cigar boxes and beeswax too. Subtle rose petals and herbal honey. Roughly the same aromas we found in the previous editions, but this is a particularly vibrant edition.
Mouth: plenty of tobacco leaves now, mixed with mentholated notes and dark chocolate. Then there’s also a bright hint of pink grapefruit, sour cherry and red apple. Subtle coffee notes and liquorice in the background. Dried herbs with dark chocolate. Whiffs of cask smoke, with gingerbread and flashes of pink grapefruit. Really beautiful – it brings back memories of the Book of Kells releases.
Finish: medium length, with more hints of oriental wood, blackberries and old leather. Lingering leafy notes and mint as well.
Now this is already the third 70 year-old Glen Grant I’ve tried thanks to Gordon & MacPhail, but it’s the first with such a dark sherry influence. This 1954 gives us glorious sherry, with an ethereal nose that you can keep smelling for hours. On the palate there’s a lot of depth as well, from dark and slightly smoky notes to vibrant berry fruits. Overall an impressive finale to this series, only slightly behind the outstanding 1953 in my opinion. Head over to Gordon & MacPhail for more information. Also available from retailers like The Whisky Exchange.