2005 Berry Bros. & Rudd Strathclyde, Cask Ref. 106488, Island, Single Grain Scotch Whisky (57.1%)
About this SPIRIT
Strathclyde Distillery
Strathclyde whisky distillery is a grain distillery, as opposed to the arguably more famous malt distilleries, and it was built in 1927 by Seager Evans on the south bank of the Clyde river.
The Kinclaith malt distillery was built within the Strathclyde distillery, which produced primarily for Long John blends, along with Strathclyde’s grain whisky, but also made single malt. In 1975 however it was shut down in favour of expanding the grain distillery buildings.
The most famous product of Strathclyde is the Duncan Taylor single grain whisky.
Grain Whisky
While Malt Whisky can only be made from barley, Grain Whisky is made from a mixture of grains, typically wheat and maize (corn) and it may also contain barley.
Grain whisky is distilled in a continuous column still, also known as Coffey still. Coffey still distillation is generally accepted to yield lighter and less complex flavour than pot still distillation (distinctive to malt whisky).
In Scotland, pure Grain Whisky is seldom bottled, it is typically used in the production of blended whiskies that combine grain and malt whiskies. Occasionally well-aged grain whiskies are released as "single grain whisky".
Scotland is the home to 6 grain distilleries: Cameronbridge, Girvan, Invergordon, North British, Port Dundas and Strathclyde. Together they annually produce six times the amount of malt whisky. Only three of the aforementioned distilleries bottled their own single grain whiskies: Cameron Bridge, Black Barrel (from Girvan) and Invergordon.
Find out about other whisky styles in the dedicated pages for Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside, Islay, Campbeltown, Orkney, Skye, Mull, Jura, Arran ), Blended Whisky , Vatted Malt Whisky (aka Blended Malt), World Whiskies that includes Irish Whiskies, Japanese Whisky and American Whiskey and Bourbon.
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Description
In terms of production capacity, Strathclyde is one of the largest in Scotland, yet, due to producing no Single Malt whisky, and focussing exclusively on column-distilled Single Grain, this must be one of the least famous. Whilst not recommended to the whisky tourist, Strathclyde and its handful of Grain whisky counterparts around Scotland are as integral to the industry as many a hallowed name!
Rob Whitehead, Spirits Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd
Tasting note
The nose is initially reticent but some time in the glass brings out subtle banana bread, coconut milk and peach. The palate, conversely, is a crescendo of rich vanilla, cream soda, desiccated coconut and dark chocolate. It is incredibly powerful and integrates well with the high alcohol. The finish brings tingling spice and more subtle vanilla. Grain whisky really hits its stride at around 18 years and this is a prime example.
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