Mini SBT from Turo-san

This time, I received a blind sample from my malt friend Turo-san as part of the Mini SBT. I'm grateful and happy to have the chance to try it. Mini SBT from Turo-san ・Aroma: A gentle yet gradually spreading aroma with a good old feel. First, a rich and strong barley note, followed by honey and black tea. From deeper layers come calm yet ripe fruits like pear, orange, banana, a touch of cream, faint earthy and old peat notes. A diverse and intoxicating aroma. ・Flavor: Soft, mature mouthfeel that expands into spicy notes. More floral and diverse fruity than the aroma, with a solid old Calvados character, adding pear, peach, pineapple, apple, cinnamon, mint. Yet there's also a rustic barley sweetness, light ginger notes, clear contours with good finish. The sweetness is honey-like with some body but not overpowering. Slightly briny, with a good oak tannin depth enhancing the flavor. The finish is long and intoxicating. ・Overall Evaluation: There's an old feel suggesting over 20 years in bottle, but no negative elements. It feels like a high-proof cask strength with body preserved despite its maturity, still lively and vibrant. Exactly at the right drinking stage. Despite its rustic barley notes, it also offers a diverse range of fruits and an intoxicating experience. The floral fruity complexity makes me think of old Speyside malts, but the aroma leans more towards a rustic barley base, reminiscent of Highland style. It has old character with body, but the aging doesn't seem excessively long. I also detected nuances similar to Italian bottlers like Green Caden or matured Sestante. From the characteristic Calvados-like apple notes and oak expression, I considered late 1960s to early 1970s Bruichladdich casks, especially official distillations from around 1970. Actually, my first impression was a clear Bruichladdich, and that impression stayed with me until the end. Other options didn't click as much, but I felt some Springbank short-aged cask strength nuances, making it my second guess. I occasionally detect these nuances in other distilleries, but nothing stood out clearly, which was frustrating. For my third guess, I chose BenRiach from among various Sestante short-aged high proofs, as it felt closest in impression. Regardless, I believe this is a bottle I've tasted before somewhere. 【Very Good/Excellent】 Predicted Distillery: ① Bruichladdich, ② Springbank, ③ BenRiach Distillation Year: Late 1960s to mid-1970s, bottled around 1990s Aging: 16-20 years ABV: High proof (55-58%) Cask Type: Refill sherry or primarily refill sherry vatting I sent my tasting notes and predictions via email. The correct answer was... Glengrant GLENGRANT 15yo (57%, 100 Proof, Gordon and MacPhail, 75cl) *The bottle in front* It was bottled around late 1960s to mid-1970s, making it older than I initially thought. While I correctly identified the old short-aged high proof character, its vintage was even older than expected. Though I mentioned the distillery guess as an extra, I had strong confidence in Bruichladdich due to its unique Calvados-like nuances, which was a bit disappointing. Glengrant has historically been available in good quantities and old bottles were relatively easy to find. It's amazing how many truly delicious ones exist. I particularly enjoy the noble, seductive sherried expressions (recent Excellent ratings have been mostly these types of Glengrant), but I also love this classic, robust style. The strong base makes sherries even more delicious. The host Turo-san also loves these kinds of Glengrant, which I've always thought was a shared preference. Although it's harder to find these days, I still have opportunities to purchase them compared to other famous distilleries from the same era. I feel these old bottles are at their final drinking stage, so I'd like to savor them carefully. Thank you, Turo-san, for this precious bottle.