Dumbarton 25 Years Old 1992 Cask #30012 (Meadowside Blending)

A Dumbarton single grain of a 25 year old chosen by Meadowside Blending, distilled in 1992, from cask 30012, bottled at 55.5%, one of 293 bottles. Dumbarton made grain whisky from 1938 until its closure in 2002, mostly for Ballantine's. A flock of around a hundred Chinese geese, the Scotch Watch, guarded its warehouses from 1959.

Distilled continuously in column stills from a maize and barley mash, for a light, sweet make built for the Ballantine's blend. Ex-Bourbon casks held the grain for decades, soft oak that drives the sweetness. Through the evaporative decades ellagitannins lend a polished grip while oak lactones deepen the coconut, mango and butterscotch building. Continuous distillation gives a light, clean spirit, so decades in oak drive much of the flavour. Maturation in American oak suits the light, sweet grain particularly well. With Dumbarton gone, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

Bottled at a cask strength 55.5%, it is rich. 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 is deep, oily and creamy. This is a rare single grain from Dumbarton, silent since 2002.