IB Gordon & MacPhail 53yo - Glen Grant

[Willie JJ]

Gordon & MacPhail 53yo 40%, distilled 1951 bottled 2004

Colour: Deep gold
Nose: Raisins, prunes, cream, linseed oil, hints of sandalwood and ginger. Pencils. Bubblegum. Lots going on here. A very enjoyable experience.
Palate: slightly sour stewed apples, acid drops.
Finish: massive wood spice. Very dry. A little malty underneath, but the wood conquers all. Lasts for ages but mostly as a cardboard, cork and camphor trilogy.

The nose is the best thing about this dram. Almost as soon as you take it into your mouth the oak takes over and dominates any other flavours to the very end. It shouldn't be a surprise after 53 years in the wood. I do wish G&M would bottle these ancient casks at cask strength though. They probably aren't that much more than 40% anyway and I'd love to see what the extra strength would do.