Cameronbridge 12 Years Old 2012 Cask #401876+401884 (Signatory)

Signatory Vintage selected this Cameronbridge matured to 12 year old distilled in 2012, from cask 401876+401884 and bottled at 40%. 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. Still young, the grain is soft and vanilla led with a toffee note. The high strength spirit mellows slowly into a soft, sweet old grain. Light grain spirit like this gains coconut and toffee from decades in active oak. Pot stills for malt whisky were removed in 1929, leaving Cameronbridge a pure grain plant. The site was expanded again in 2007 in a forty million pound investment. The Haig name has been tied to Scottish distilling since the 17th century.

Bottled at 40%, it is rounded. The ex-Bourbon gives sweet vanilla and a buttery coconut. A crème brûlée and a polished oak give it depth. The finish runs buttery, soft and warm. This is the clean, sweet grain of Cameronbridge.