William Cadenhead 20 Years Old (Cadenhead’s)

William Cadenhead 20 Years Old (Cadenhead's) is a blended Scotch from Cadenhead's. It marries malt and grain whiskies into a balanced whole. Glasgow grain whisky such as Strathclyde has long fed the blending halls.

The grain lends a light, sweet frame while any malt brings depth. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Grain whisky like this rewards long maturation, the wood adding most of the character. The result is a soft, sweet, oily Scotch with a creamy oak depth. Independent makers have championed old grain as a category in its own right. Hedonism and its kin showed that aged grain could stand alone as fine whisky. Blended grain marries grain whiskies from more than one distillery. The maker selects casks for the sweetness and depth each lends. Aged grain brings coconut, vanilla and a buttery oak to the glass. A period of marrying lets the whiskies settle together. Glasgow grain such as Strathclyde has long been a blending mainstay.

At 46% it is clean, oily and sweet. Coconut, vanilla, toffee and a soft oil run through it, with a creamy oak depth. It is clean and sweet, the grain spirit shining through. Crème brûlée and oak draw out the close. A soft, sweet blended Scotch.