Dumbarton 30 Years Old 1992 Cask #3 (Meadowside Blending)

Meadowside Blending bottled this Dumbarton single grain, a 30 year old, distilled in 1992, from cask 3, bottled at 48.8%, one of 281 bottles. Dumbarton made grain whisky from 1938 until its closure in 2002, mostly for Ballantine's. It closed in 2002 and the buildings, the red tower among them, were later demolished for housing.

Drawn from the stainless steel columns on the banks of the Leven, for a light, sweet make built for the Ballantine's blend. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, American oak giving coconut and toffee over the years. At over four decades the light grain has turned deep and resinous, sotolon, coconut and old polished oak. The high strength spirit mellows slowly into a soft, sweet old grain. Continuous distillation gives a light, clean spirit, so decades in oak drive much of the flavour. It was taken over by Allied in 1987, and grain production later moved to Strathclyde. With Dumbarton gone, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

At its natural 48.8% it is concentrated. Coconut from the oak lactones and vanilla from vanillin run deep, over butterscotch and a soft oil. A butterscotch and a creamy oak lift it. It finishes clean, sweet and buttery. This is an old single grain from closed Dumbarton.