Carsebridge 46 Years Old 1970 Cask #38243 (Murray McDavid)

The independent Murray McDavid bottled this Carsebridge single grain, a 46 year old, distilled in 1970, from cask 38243, bottled at 40.9%, one of 160 bottles. Carsebridge, one of Scotland's oldest grain distilleries, was demolished in 1992. Most of its make went into blends; single grain Carsebridge appears only from independent bottlers.

Distilled continuously in two Coffey stills from a grain mash, for the light, sweet grain spirit Carsebridge was known for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, coconut and vanilla drawn slowly into the grain. At this great, fragile age the grain is rich and waxy, sotolon lending a maple depth over deep coconut and old oak. Continuous distillation gives a light, clean spirit, so decades in oak drive much of the flavour. It switched from malt to grain in 1852, installing two of the new Coffey continuous stills. No more will ever be made, the distillery silent since 1983.

At cask strength 40.9% it is full bodied. Coconut from the oak lactones and vanilla from vanillin run deep, over butterscotch and a soft oil. A creme brulee and a polished oak give it depth. The finish runs soft, sweet and warm. This is an old single grain from a closed Lowland distillery.