Strathclyde 2005 SMWS G10.32

From Scotch Malt Whisky Society comes this Strathclyde, a 15 year old release from 2005, drawn from cask G10.32 and bottled at 62%. A release of 163 bottles. Set by the Clyde in the Gorbals, Strathclyde has made grain whisky since 1927. Twin Coffey stills run on wheat, with water drawn from Loch Katrine.

The spirit was made in twin Coffey stills, the wash run from wheat, for a clean, sweet grain make of real purity. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding coconut, vanilla and toffee. By this age the sweet spirit rounds into vanilla, coconut and a soft oil. Years in the cask deepen the toffee and crème brûlée notes of aged grain. Single grain releases are rare, almost all of them from independent bottlers. Light grain spirit takes oak readily, so long ageing brings out coconut and toffee. 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.

At 62%, undiluted, it is deep and sweet. The ex-Bourbon gives a sweet, oily vanilla. It is soft and deep, the grain and oak well matched. A warming, sweet finish lingers. This is a rare single grain from the Clyde.