Cadenheads Small Batch Strathclyde 25 Year Old Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Single grain whisky in this form is most unusual, even on the shelves of passionate whisky retailers like ourselves. Independent releases are scarce, while official bottlings are almost unheard of.

Grain whisky is the foundation for all blended Scotch whiskies, thus grain whisky producers tend to be large operations, mostly located in the Lowlands and using continuous stills only, as opposed to pot stills. The whisky can be produced from almost any type of grain, however the most commonly used are wheat and corn along with a little malted barley. These former cereals are cheaper than barley used for single malts, and unlike single malt distilleries, upscaling production is quite viable, hence the non proliferation of these projects in Scotland. Instead, they just get bigger. There numbers have actually declined in the last few decades. There are only about seven currently in operation.

The joys of a well aged grain whisky are not universally appreciated, and in comparison to single malts, single grains are often much maligned. Those who have experienced the superb complexity that the best examples attain try to keep these gems of the whisky world their own little secret. This peculiar bottling comes from the Strathclyde distillery, located in the heart of Glasgow and now owned by Pernod Ricard (think Chivas). Established in 1927, distillation here takes place in a two column system.

Distilled in 1989 and bottled in 2014 at natural strength after 25 years in Bourbon barrels, a mere 348 bottles have been made available from the reputable independent bottler, Cadenheads.

Other reviews... Nose: Quite rye like, lots of digestive biscuits, melted butter with pineapples and clotted cream. Palate: Sweet, dried bananas, some grassy notes and then pineapple chews. Soft strawberry yoghurt notes and then white pepper. Finish: Big whisky, very creamy, lots of dry spices and then coconut, hints of peanut butter and then more creaminess. - Cadenheads