Strathclyde 18 Years Old 2005 Cask #106488 (BB&R)

Berry Bros & Rudd selected this Strathclyde, an 18 year old grain whisky from 2005, drawn from cask 106488 and bottled at 57.1%. The outturn was 215 bottles. Strathclyde, founded in 1927 by Seager Evans in Glasgow, on the Clyde, is a Glasgow grain distillery. It is now part of the Chivas Brothers stable, quietly working by the Clyde.

It was drawn off continuous Coffey stills from a wheat mash, for a delicate spirit that leans on the cask for flavour. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending coconut and vanilla. Past fifteen years the grain deepens into coconut, toffee and crème brûlée. Years in the cask deepen the toffee and crème brûlée notes of aged grain. 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. Aged single grain has become prized for its soft, oily, dessert sweet character.

At cask strength 57.1% it is full bodied. The ex-Bourbon gives sweet vanilla and a buttery coconut. It is soft and deep, the grain and oak well matched. The finish is deep, oily and creamy. This is a clean, oily single grain of real age.