Strathclyde 50 Years Old 1969 Cask #HL 17254 (The Sovereign)

Hunter Laing selected this Strathclyde, a 50 year old grain whisky from 1969, drawn from cask HL 17254 and bottled at 40.1%. Only 150 bottles were released. Strathclyde, built in 1927 on the south bank of the Clyde in Glasgow, is a Glasgow grain distillery. It is now part of the Chivas Brothers stable, quietly working by the Clyde.

Distilled continuously in twin Coffey stills from wheat, giving a clean, high strength grain whisky. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that drives the grain's sweetness. Very old Strathclyde grain turns profound, oily and sweet with a tropical edge. Maturation in ex-Bourbon wood suits the light, sweet grain particularly well. 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 a full 40.1% it is intense yet sweet. The ex-Bourbon gives a sweet, oily vanilla. The texture is oily and buttery, the sweetness coating. The finish is deep, oily and creamy. This is a clean, oily single grain of real age.