Ghosted Reserve 26 yo

Ghosted Reserve 26 yo

Rare Cask Reserves, William Grant and Sons
Vatted malt - Inverleven, Ladyburn
Pale green
42% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh cut grass, white grapes, dark chocolate, brass polish, vanilla, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loose, airy, slippery. 
Tasting:  Sour . White grapes, fresh cut grass, dark chocolate, green tea, almonds, hints of rhubarb and custard. 
Finish: Short. Orange peel, white grapes, almonds, green tea, hints of teak wood. 

Comments: 

A vatting of 26 yo Inverleven and 57 yo Ladyburn. I think it's spent a bit too long in the cask. Subtle flavours, slightly tart, a lot of grape and wood. But I was in the mood for big bold whisky, and somehow this didn't do it for me at all. Good stuff, but not the right night.

Verdict:

I like this.

William Grant's Family Reserve

William Grant's Family Reserve

Official bottling
Blended malt
Dark gold
43% ABV
Bottle

Nose: Lemons, quinces, kiwi fruit, leather, pears, hints of orange peel, hints of burnt sugar.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Burnt sugar, salt caramel, lemons, quince, leather, hints of orange peel.
Finish: Medium. Burnt sugar, lemons, leather, salt caramel.

Comments:

This is an older bottling (around 1999), and slightly higher strength at 43%. Today's bottlings of this expression are 40%. Apparently this contains 25% WG distilleries (Balvenie, Kininvie and Glenfiddich) and up to 22 other whiskies in total. It is mostly pleasant both on the nose and on the tongue, but there's a slightly acrid hint of burnt sugar wreathed all around the fruity, slightly peaty elements. It's drinkable, but not great. I hope the later bottlings of this are better.

Verdict:

Not bad.