If I were a teacher and the various Scottish distilleries whose products I’ve tried were my students, Glen Grant would be a strong contender for the title of “Most Improved Student.” Their old lineup - Major’s Reserve, 10 Year, and 16 Year were underwhelming (though I never had a chance to try the 16, so maybe it was the exception). Their new portfolio is MUCH nicer; the 12 runs laps around the 10, the 18 is lovely, and this 15 year is maybe the best of the lot. The nose is pure fruit basket and American oak; after a BIG initial burst of sweet coconut and vanilla, a plethora of ripe fruits turn up - banana, pear, apple, pineapple, guava, even a little mango. To spice things up, candied ginger and white pepper notes turn up after a little bit of time in the glass. The palate is delightfully round and full, balancing nicely the influence of the oak and the light, fruity nature of the Glen Grant spirit. This dram manages to find a perfect, and difficult, balance between freshness and substance. The finish is long and lingering as that sweet oakiness just keeps on going. There’s a bit of burn, but for a higher abv bottling it’s really not too bad. This is a great dram, especially for a sub-$70 bottle. Let’s hope that the folks in the stillhouse at Glen Grant keep on this path!