Strathclyde 28 Years Old 1993 Cask #243383 (Elixir)

This Strathclyde was from the independent bottler Elixir Distillers, a 28 year old release from 1993, drawn from cask 243383 and bottled at 55.1%. Set in the heart of Glasgow, Strathclyde has made grain whisky since 1927. The malt distillery Kinclaith lived inside its walls from 1957 until 1975.

Distilled in column stills for a light, clean grain spirit, building the light Glasgow grain style. A refill American oak cask held it, building the sweet, oily grain character. Past twenty five years the spirit turns oily and dessert sweet while staying clean. Grain whisky like this rewards long maturation, the wood adding most of the character. 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. The continuous still gives a clean, high strength spirit that mellows with years.

At its natural 55.1% it is concentrated. The ex-Bourbon gives crème brûlée, coconut and vanilla. A butterscotch and a creamy oak lift it. The close is soft, dessert sweet over oak. This is the light, sweet grain style of Strathclyde.