Strathclyde 16 Years Old 2005 Bananas And Cream (Wemyss)

A Strathclyde single grain, selected and bottled by Wemyss Malts, a 16 year old from 2005 and bottled at 46%. 246 bottles in all. Strathclyde was founded in 1927 by Seager Evans by the Clyde in the Gorbals, and it still makes grain whisky for the big blends. It is the only distillery left in Glasgow, once one of Scotland's great whisky cities.

The spirit was made in twin Coffey stills, the wash run from wheat, for a clean, sweet grain make of real purity. A refill American oak cask held it, building the sweet, oily grain character. Mid age brings a deeper coconut and a buttery, dessert sweetness. The cool Lowland climate gives a slow, even maturation over many years. Aged single grain has become prized for its soft, oily, dessert sweet character. The continuous still gives a clean, high strength spirit that mellows with years. Strathclyde takes its name from the old region around Glasgow. Decades in ex-Bourbon wood turn light grain into a rich, oily whisky.

At an easy 46% it is gentle. The ex-Bourbon gives crème brûlée, coconut and vanilla. The mouthfeel is oily, the coconut carried on a sweet body. A long, oily finish carries a coconut lift. This is a soft, dessert sweet Lowland grain whisky.