Strathclyde 32 Years Old 1990 Cask #6438579 (Duncan Taylor)

Single grain Strathclyde, an independent Duncan Taylor bottling matured to 32 year old from 1990, drawn from cask 6438579 and bottled at 52.2%. Just 85 bottles were filled. Strathclyde was established in 1927 in the heart of Glasgow; it has made grain whisky for nearly a century. Strathclyde stands on the site of an old cotton mill in the Gorbals.

Distilled in column stills for a light, clean grain spirit, building the light Glasgow grain style. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Long ageing brings a deep coconut, toffee and a mellow, polished oak. Continuous column distillation gives a light, clean spirit, so the cask drives much of the flavour. Twin Coffey stills run on wheat, the water drawn from Loch Katrine. The malt distillery Kinclaith lived inside its walls from 1957 until 1975. 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.

At a full 52.2% it is intense yet sweet. The Oloroso brings dried fruit and a nutty depth over the sweet grain. Beneath it run coconut, vanilla and a soft oil. Crème brûlée and oak draw out the close. This is an old Glasgow single grain whisky.