Strathclyde 34 Years Old 1987 Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

Murray McDavid bottled this Strathclyde single grain, a 34 year old grain whisky from 1987 and bottled at 47.2%. The outturn was 564 bottles. Strathclyde, first built in 1927 by the Clyde in the Gorbals, is a Glasgow grain distillery. Its grain whisky goes into blends such as Long John, Ballantine's and Chivas Regal.

The spirit was made in twin Coffey stills, the wash run from wheat, for a clean, sweet grain make of real purity. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla and crème brûlée. Beyond twenty five years the grain grows deep and oily, coconut, butterscotch and crème brûlée over polished oak. Years in the cask deepen the toffee and crème brûlée notes of aged grain. Aged single grain has become prized for its soft, oily, dessert sweet character. The continuous still gives a clean, high strength spirit that mellows with years. Strathclyde takes its name from the old region around Glasgow. Decades in ex-Bourbon wood turn light grain into a rich, oily whisky.

At a natural 47.2% it is full and oily. The ex-Bourbon gives a sweet, oily vanilla. A crème brûlée and a polished oak give it depth. The finish is deep, oily and creamy. This is Strathclyde's sweet, oily single grain.