North of Scotland 43 Years Old 1964 (Scott’s Selection)

Bottled by the respected independent Scott's Selection, this North of Scotland carries a 1964 vintage, the year the distillery formally took that name, and held for 43 years. The grain comes from Christie's silent grain works at Cambus, Clackmannanshire, converted from the old Forth Brewery and closed in 1980 during the industry's overproduction glut.

The spirit ran from patent stills on a deliberately wide cut, leaving the congeners that gave North of Scotland its reputation as one of the more flavoursome grains of its era. Four decades in refill ex-Bourbon wood brings deep oxidative maturity, the spirit concentrating into dried fruit and a waxy richness while the oak contributes structure without harsh tannin.

Bottled at 45%, it retains good strength for such a long aged grain. Vanillin from the spent lignin gives vanilla, toffee and fudge come from caramelised hemicellulose, and the oak lactones lend a coconut creaminess. Slow oxidation adds old polished oak and a soft dried fruit sweetness, the tannins firm but mellow, finishing long on a scarce vintage from a distillery long since demolished.