Cambus 25 Years Old 1991 Cask #55893 (Signatory)

Signatory Vintage selected this Cambus, a 25 year old single grain distilled in 1991, from cask 55893 and bottled at 50.3%. The outturn was 431 bottles. Cambus was a founding distillery of DCL, making grain whisky in Clackmannanshire until it closed in 1993. In 1906 its grain was advertised on the front of the Daily Mail as not a headache in a gallon, during the What is Whisky debate.

The spirit was made in twin Coffey stills before the distillery closed, for a light, sweet make of real purity. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla and crème brûlée. At this age it is rich and waxy, the sweet grain folded into a buttery, oily body. Patient ageing gives the oily, waxy texture prized in old single grain. Closed in 1993, the site is now a Diageo cooperage beside the Blackgrange warehouses. The spirit was drawn off two continuous Coffey stills, the water from the Lossburn Reservoir.

At a hearty 50.3% it carries real weight. The ex-Bourbon gives toffee, vanilla and a soft oil. It is soft and deep, the grain and oak well matched. Toffee and vanilla see out a long finish. This is the sweet, oily grain of a vanished DCL distillery.