1993 Cooper's Choice Strathclyde 26 Year Old Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Tasting note: [20ml sample] Like most single grains, this 1993 distillate spent its 26 years in a first-fill ex-bourbon cask. Snuffed candles and vapoury alcohol give way to notes of white chocolate, beeswax and dried coconut. A vague fruitiness adds freshness (plantain?) Zero alcohol flare with silky flavours of cream soda, sponge cake and banana bread. Cascades across the tongue. Hints of Bounty Bar through the finish. Very good grain. 52.5% ABV. Non chill filtered.

Notes from the importer... Strathclyde is a grain distillery not too far from Glasgow that was originally built to produce Gin, but has since become an important producer of Grain Whisky for the enormous volume Scotch Blends. Strathclyde (to my knowledge) exclusively uses Wheat in their whisky production. Owned by Pernod, it is safe to assume a majority finds it's way into Chivas Regal products. Old grains are one of those super special things I find myself grabbing off the shelf more and more. Not only do they offer incredible value for money, they can be quite simply super silky with fantastic character of not just their cask, but also their base carbohydrate. The Cooper's Choice Strathclyde 1993, 26 Year Old arrived into Australia in our March 2021 arrivals. The grain whisky has spent it's entire 26 years in an ex-first fill Bourbon cask. The nose is spritely with a bit of fire showing from it's 52.5% ABV casks strength, along a touch of nail polish, vanilla and white stone fruits. The palate is extremely rich and silky. The oak at times is remincent of sitting in a carpenters workshop with the drop saw in full flight, however this is met and balanced by the rich, silky vanilla and spice notes. The fruit notes are more subtle on the palate, but certainly present: white peach, lemon and a touch of ripe banana. A perfect example of a great old single grain. 91 points - Simon Speir