Grand Old Parr 18 years

Score: 73

Grand Old Parr 18 Year Old is a refined blended Scotch that quietly commands respect. With a base of rare Cragganmore malts and 18 years of maturation, it offers a golden amber hue and a nose of roasted cashews, dried fruits, and faint smoke. The palate is smooth and creamy, delivering honeyed sweetness, vanilla, and subtle oak, while the finish lingers with gentle smoke and woodland warmth. It’s not a whisky that shouts—it speaks in well-measured tones, balancing accessibility with quiet sophistication. At the club tasting, it came second not by being the boldest or most complex, but by being the most universally appreciated. Its mellow character and nostalgic charm, enhanced by its antique-style bottle and storied heritage, struck a chord with the group. In a lineup that may have included peaty rebels and sherry bombs, Old Parr 18 was the diplomat: smooth, elegant, and warmly received. It was the dram that brought nods of approval, not debates. In the end, it won because it made everyone feel like they were sipping something special, without needing to prove it.