Dumbarton 26 Years Old 1997 Cask #174 (Alistair Walker Whisky Company)

From the Alistair Walker Whisky Company, a 26 year old Dumbarton single grain, distilled in 1997, from cask 174, bottled at 53.8%, one of 677 bottles. Dumbarton is a closed grain distillery, its single grain now a finite, dwindling stock. Most of its make went into blends; single grain Dumbarton appears only from independent bottlers.

Distilled continuously in column stills from a maize and barley mash, for a light, sweet make built for the Ballantine's blend. A bourbon hogshead held it, the long maturation drawing out a buttery coconut. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a polished structure while oxidation builds a waxy, tropical depth. Refill oak lets the clean grain show, the wood adding coconut and a buttery toffee. It closed in 2002 and the buildings, the red tower among them, were later demolished for housing. Three decades and more turn a light spirit into something rich and tropical. No new spirit will follow it, the stills cold since 2002.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.8%, it is rich. The American oak gives vanillin vanilla and lactone coconut, with a polished, toffee sweetness. A butterscotch and a creamy oak lift it. It finishes clean, sweet and buttery. This is a rare single grain from Dumbarton, silent since 2002.