Carsebridge 27 Years Old 1979 Cask #32902 (Duncan Taylor)

A 27 year old Carsebridge from the Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor, distilled in 1979, from cask 32902, bottled at 60%, one of 187 bottles. Carsebridge was founded in 1799 by John Bald, and became one of the largest grain distilleries in Scotland. With the distillery long gone, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

The spirit was drawn from Coffey stills on Gartmorn Dam water, for a light, sweet make of real purity. A refill American oak cask held it, the wood lending the deep coconut of old grain. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a polished structure while oxidation builds a waxy, tropical depth. The light Lowland grain gains its deep coconut and toffee entirely from the cask. Maturation in American oak suits the light, sweet grain particularly well. Its cooperage outlived the distillery, working until 2011 when it moved to Cambus. No more will ever be made, the distillery silent since 1983.

At cask strength 60% it is full bodied. Oak lactones lend a deep coconut and vanillin a sweet vanilla, with a crème brûlée richness. Coconut, toffee and a tropical fruit fill the middle. It finishes clean, sweet and buttery. This is the deep, sweet old grain of Carsebridge.