Strathclyde 31 Years Old 1973 Cask #74061 (Duncan Taylor)

Duncan Taylor bottled this Strathclyde single grain matured to 31 year old from 1973, drawn from cask 74061 and bottled at 62.8%. Just 157 bottles were filled. Strathclyde was opened in 1927 by the gin distiller Seager Evans by the Clyde in the Gorbals; Chivas Brothers run it today. Its grain whisky goes into blends such as Long John, Ballantine's and Chivas Regal.

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. At this age it is rich and waxy, the sweet grain folded into a buttery, oily body. Years in the cask deepen the toffee and crème brûlée notes of aged grain. Its grain whisky has long fed blends like Long John, Ballantine's and Chivas Regal. Twin Coffey stills run on wheat, the water drawn from Loch Katrine. The malt distillery Kinclaith lived inside its walls from 1957 until 1975.

At 62.8%, undiluted, it is deep and sweet. The ex-Bourbon gives butterscotch, coconut and cream. A crème brûlée and a polished oak give it depth. Toffee and vanilla see out a long finish. This is Strathclyde's sweet, oily single grain.