Dumbarton 21 Years Old 2000 Cask #C22051 (Claxton’s)

The bottler Claxton's bottled this Dumbarton single grain, a 21 year old, distilled in 2000, from cask C22051, bottled at 58.6%, one of 197 bottles. Dumbarton was once Scotland's largest grain distillery, the backbone of the Ballantine's blend. The geese featured in Ballantine's advertising and became a local landmark before being retired in 2012.

The spirit was distilled continuously in column stills from a maize and barley mash, building the smooth Lowland grain style. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, American oak giving coconut and toffee over the years. At oxidative maturity esters build and ellagitannins add a gentle, drying grip over the sweet grain. The light Lowland grain gains its deep coconut and toffee entirely from the cask. Patient ageing gives the oily, waxy texture prized in old single grain. With the distillery gone, the casks that remain are a finite record of its make. Closed in 2002 and since demolished, its profile is fixed for good.

At cask strength 58.6% 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. The finish runs soft, sweet and warm. This is a rare single grain from Dumbarton, silent since 2002.