Port Dundas 23 Years Old 1995 Cask #1976-154319 (Claxton’s)

Bottled by Claxton's, this Port Dundas single grain matured to 23 year old, from 1995, drawn from cask 1976-154319 and bottled at 55.5%. A small release of 237 bottles. Once a giant of Lowland grain whisky, Port Dundas was opened in 1811 in the city of Glasgow before being brought to an end in 2010. By the 1880s it was pouring out millions of gallons a year for the blenders.

The spirit was worked through continuous patent stills from unpeated wheat with a little malted barley, the gentle grain make once destined for blends. Refill American oak held the spirit, soft wood that lets the grain lead. At this age grain grows rich and oily, the long oak contact building real depth. Each year in the warehouse softened the spirit and deepened the cask sweetness.

At 55.5% it is big and oily. The oak lends a soft vanilla, with coconut and cream from the lactones and caramelised wood sugars a toffee sweetness, over a base of light citrus and tropical fruit. Soft orchard fruit sits behind the dessert sweetness. A long, dessert sweet finish lingers. This is grain from a Glasgow landmark that stands no more.