The Clydeside Distillery 2023

The Clydeside Distillery opened in 2017 in the restored 1877 Pumphouse at the Queen's Dock, on the River Clyde in Glasgow. It is the family project of Tim Morrison, of the Morrison whisky dynasty behind Bowmore and Glen Garioch, whose great grandfather John Morrison built the dock and helped raise Loch Katrine, the source of the distillery's water. This is a limited edition release, bottled at full cask strength from ex-Bourbon wood.

Made from Scottish barley in a single pair of copper stills, the spirit is young and full of energy. Maturation in ex-Bourbon oak lays down vanilla and a soft honeyed sweetness over the light, fruity Lowland make. It is bottled at a natural 60.6 percent, undiluted, so the young spirit shows at full volume.

At cask strength it is bold and bright, green apple, pear and citrus over vanilla, honey and a biscuity malt, with a warm, peppery and fruity finish. A powerful young limited edition from one of Glasgow's revived malt distilleries. For all its strength it stays bright and fruity, a reminder that good young spirit can carry real volume without turning hot.