Port Dundas 46 Years Old 1965 (Scott’s Selection)

From Scott's Selection comes this Port Dundas single grain, aged 46 year old, from 1965 and bottled at 43.3%. Founded in 1811 in the north of Glasgow, Port Dundas grew into one of Scotland's great grain distilleries before being closed in 2010 just short of two centuries. By the 1880s it was pouring out millions of gallons a year for the blenders.

The spirit was made in patent column stills rather than pot stills on a wheat led mash with Loch Katrine water, a soft, sweet make ideal for blending. It was matured in a first fill ex-Bourbon cask, the refill wood letting the spirit's sweetness show. At this great age grain turns intense and polished, the oak deep and the strength easing. Grain enters the cask light and clean, so the wood's character shows clearly against it.

At 43.3% it is round and easy. The oak lactones a creamy coconut, vanilla comes from the oak lignin, and a fudge sweetness from caramelised hemicellulose, with grain sweetness running underneath. Sweet and creamy, it coats the palate gently. The finish is creamy and slow to fade. This is grain from a Glasgow landmark that stands no more.