Strathclyde 15 Years Old 2005 Cask #DL 14401 (Old Particular)

This is a Strathclyde single grain, chosen and bottled by Douglas Laing, aged 15 year old from 2005, drawn from cask DL 14401 and bottled at 61.3%. 195 bottles in all. Opened in 1927 by the gin distiller Seager Evans in the heart of Glasgow, Strathclyde is Glasgow's only grain distillery. Single grain releases are rare; this comes from an independent bottler rather than the distillery.

Distilled in column stills for a light, clean grain spirit, building the light Glasgow grain style. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the sweet grain. Mid age brings a deeper coconut and a buttery, dessert sweetness. Continuous column distillation gives a light, clean spirit, so the cask drives much of the flavour. The distillery sits in the Gorbals on the south bank of the Clyde. It is now part of the Chivas Brothers stable, working quietly in the city. Glasgow once held distilleries across the city; today only Strathclyde remains.

At a hearty 61.3% it carries real weight. The Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle over a sweet grain. Soft toffee and vanilla sit behind the sweetness. It finishes clean, sweet and buttery. This is an aged single grain from a Glasgow distillery.