Cameronbridge 26 Years Old 1991 Cask #HL 14752 (The Sovereign)

Hunter Laing selected this Cameronbridge, aged 26 year old distilled in 1991, from cask HL 14752 and bottled at 56.9%. The outturn was 481 bottles. Founded in 1824 by John Haig, Cameronbridge is the oldest and largest grain distillery in Scotland. As well as grain whisky, it makes the neutral spirit for Gordon's and Tanqueray gin and Smirnoff vodka.

It was drawn from continuous Coffey stills for a light grain spirit, for a delicate spirit that leans on the cask with age. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla and crème brûlée. Mid age brings a deeper coconut and a buttery, dessert sweetness. The high strength spirit mellows slowly into a soft, sweet old grain. The Haig name has been tied to Scottish distilling since the 17th century. It was the home of continuous distillation in Scotland, making the country's first commercial grain whisky. A founding member of the Distillers Company in 1877, it is now Diageo's largest distillery.

Undiluted at 56.9%, it is layered. The ex-Bourbon gives vanilla, cream and a dessert sweetness. It is clean and sweet, the grain spirit shining through. It finishes clean, sweet and buttery. This is the clean, sweet grain of Cameronbridge.