Dumbarton 20 Years Old 2000 First Cask (Whisky Import Nederland)

A 20 year old Dumbarton from the bottler Whisky Import Nederland, distilled in 2000, bottled at 55.7%. Dumbarton ran continuous column stills by the Clyde for over sixty years before closing in 2002. Hiram Walker bought the Ballantine's blend in 1936 and built Dumbarton to supply its grain whisky.

The spirit was distilled in continuous column stills for a light, sweet grain, for a delicate spirit that leans on the cask with age. An unusual cask gave the old grain a distinctive, fruity twist. Through oxidative maturity the grain turns oily and deep, coconut and crème brûlée to the fore. Continuous distillation gives a light, clean spirit, so decades in oak drive much of the flavour. Decades in cask build a waxy, polished depth over the light Dumbarton spirit. Refill oak lets the clean grain show, the wood adding coconut and a buttery toffee. No new spirit will follow it, the stills cold since 2002.

Bottled at a cask strength 55.7%, it is rich. The cask lends red berry and a dry spice, over coconut from oak lactones. Soft toffee and vanilla sit behind the sweetness. The finish runs soft, sweet and warm. This is the sweet, oily grain of a vanished Lowland distillery.