Strathclyde 9 Years Old 2014 Cask #1432128 (Alistair Walker Whisky Company)

A Strathclyde single grain, selected and bottled by Alistair Walker Whisky Company matured to 9 year old from 2014, drawn from cask 1432128 and bottled at 60.8%. A release of 307 bottles. Strathclyde was opened in 1927 by the gin distiller Seager Evans by the Clyde in the Gorbals; Chivas Brothers run it today. It is the only distillery left in Glasgow, once one of Scotland's great whisky cities.

The spirit was made in twin Coffey stills, the wash run from wheat, for a clean, sweet grain make of real purity. A wine cask shaped it, lending red berry to the sweet grain. At this age the grain is light and sweet, vanilla and a soft cereal to the fore. Light grain spirit takes oak readily, the ex-Bourbon lending coconut and vanilla. 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.

At a hearty 60.8% it carries real weight. The wine cask adds red berry and spice to the sweet grain. A crème brûlée and a polished oak give it depth. Toffee and vanilla see out a long finish. This is a soft, dessert sweet Lowland grain whisky.