Glen Grant James MacArthur Old Masters 19 YO

The reviewed sample is from bourbon cask # 35955 of James MacArthur Old Masters Glen Grant, 19 YO, 1992-2011. I thank @Pudge72 for the reviewed sample

Nose: lots of wood influence, and very pleasant wood at that. Some would consider the malt to be overshadowed by the wood, but for me this one works, just inside the line of 'too much'. Very nice sweet/dry balance. Nicely integrated vanilla. Water added brings out a lot of high-pitched sweetness and increases the intensity and depth of the wood flavours. Great with water. Score: 23/25

Taste: nice strong intensity translation of the nose flavours to the mouth. This has a sweet and sour theme against good-tasting oak. There is nonetheless a degree of astringency in the mouthfeel. Malt is in the background. Water added increases sweetness and blends the flavours together. Score: 22/25

Finish: medium length finish for most elements, with a sour tone remaining long. Still nice, but a little less so. Water added bundles the flavours and brings out a sweet-and-sour theme. Score: 20.5/25

Balance: you really taste the influence of long aging in used bourbon barrels here. This is a pretty mild and gentrified wood influence here-- this is not Elijah Craig Barrel Proof oak. I like this whisky. The balance is very good to excellent in the nose, very good on the palate, and good on the finish. Score: 21.5/25

Total Sequential Score: 87 points

Strength: strong flavours throughout. Score: 23/25

Quality: very nice wood flavours; good, albeit understated malt flavours. Score: 22.5/25

Variety: adequate complexity. Score: 20.5/25

Harmony: the integration of the flavours is very good on nose and delivery, and good on the finish. Score: 21/25

Total Non-Sequential Score: 87 points

Comment: this whisky strongly exemplifies the influence of long-aging in bourbon barrels. My 87 grade here is a "critic's score". As someone who likes a lot of oak in a whisky my personal taste makes this Glen Grant 19 YO a little more desirable than that score-- an 89 or 90 point whisky in my affections

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