1. Grants Triple Wood
Grants Triple Wood is a globally renowned whisky produced by William Grant & Sons, the owners of Glenfiddich and Balvenie. It holds significant recognition in the whisky world, securing the 3rd position in global blended whisky sales in 2022, following Johnnie Walker and Ballantine’s.
The Triple Wood incorporates three cask types: Refill American Oak (bringing sweetness), Virgin Oak (imparting spiciness), and Virgin American Oak (introducing vanilla notes). The bottle design, reminiscent of Glenfiddich, features a triangular shape with a cap closure.
Considering its association with William Grant & Sons, there’s speculation about whether the whisky contains elements from their other distilleries like Glenfiddich or Balvenie. However, given the ownership, it’s plausible that components from these distilleries might contribute to the Grants Triple Wood’s flavor profile.
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2. Grants Triple Wood
1) Grants Story
In 1886, William Grant established the Glenfiddich Distillery. However, during that era, single malts were not primarily sold products; instead, they were often considered ingredients for blended malt whiskies.
Facing challenges in selling their single malt, William Grant decided to create a blended whisky using the distillate from his own distillery. This marked the inception of Grant’s Whisky. The grain whisky, a crucial component of Grant’s, is currently produced at the Girvan Distillery, constructed in 1963.
A unique aspect of Grant’s is the involvement of a special employee in the whisky-making process – a dog named Rocco. Rocco, the dog, plays a role in quality control by checking the casks where the whisky matures. With a sense of smell 40 times more acute than humans, Rocco ensures the whisky’s aging process by detecting changes in aroma as it matures in the casks.
2) Tasting Notes
The color of the whisky is typical for a regular whisky. It seems a bit different from the 50ml bottle, which might be due to variations in caramel coloring practices. In Scotland, the addition of caramel coloring is generally accepted.
Observing the legs in the glass, they appear light, indicating a relatively low viscosity.
The aroma is light, featuring a clean fruity scent. Upon tasting, a sweet flavor with hints of vanilla maltiness is noticeable. Towards the end, there’s a distinctive touch of peat or smokiness. The finish is not particularly long, characterized by freshness, lightness, and a subtle sweetness.
When enjoyed in the “On the Rocks” style, the whisky becomes more enjoyable compared to consuming it neat. The flavors become smoother, offering a clean and moderately intense drinking experience.
3) Product Information
Product Name: Grants Triple Wood
Food Type: Whisky
Volume: 700ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Ingredients and Composition: 100% Whisky
Manufacturer: William Grants & Sons Distillers Limited
Country of Origin: United Kingdom(Scotland)
3. Overall Review
In summary, among various affordable and high-value whiskies I’ve tried, this seems to be the most satisfactory. The price is incredibly reasonable, but one drawback is that it might be challenging to find due to its limited availability.
I found a similar vibe with Johnny Walker Blonde. Blonde tends to be sweeter and lighter in comparison. Grants Triple Wood, even when consumed neat, offered a flavor profile that exceeded expectations given its price.
Nevertheless, compared to other premium spirits, it falls short when sipped straight. Therefore, if you choose to enjoy this whisky, I would recommend doing so in a highball or cocktail form.