Dumbarton 21 Years Old 2000 Cask #DL 15001 (Old Particular)

From the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 21 year old Dumbarton single grain, distilled in 2000, from cask DL 15001, bottled at 51.5%, one of 260 bottles. Dumbarton was Hiram Walker's great grain distillery, built to supply the Ballantine's blend. It closed in 2002 and the buildings, the red tower among them, were later demolished for housing.

It was drawn from the stainless steel columns on the banks of the Leven, to build a soft, sweet grain character. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, vanilla and crème brûlée building with age. Through oxidative maturity the grain turns oily and deep, coconut and crème brûlée to the fore. Patient ageing gives the oily, waxy texture prized in old single grain. Hiram Walker bought the Ballantine's blend in 1936 and built Dumbarton to supply its grain whisky. It was taken over by Allied in 1987, and grain production later moved to Strathclyde. No more will ever be made, the distillery silent since 2002.

At a natural 51.5% it is full and oily. The American oak gives vanillin vanilla and lactone coconut, with a polished, toffee sweetness. Beneath it run coconut, vanilla and a soft oil. It closes long, sweet and oily. This is a rare single grain from Dumbarton, silent since 2002.