The Clydeside Distillery Stobcross Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Ever since the Kinclaith stills at Strathclyde fell silent, Glasgow has been without a malt whisky distillery. The city's whisky renaissance recently took another step forward with The Clydeside, the second distillery to open there in over 100 years. Owners, Morrison Glasgow Distillers have been synonymous with single malts for generations. The family’s independent bottling business, A.D. Rattray, traces its roots back to 1868. For their latest project, the family worked closely with the late Dr. Jim Swan to refine wood selections and develop a ‘light but fruity spirit’, less grassy than other Lowland malts, instead veering toward a spicier Speysider. The concept was "...to reflect Glasgow’s past in bringing tobacco and spices to the UK."  An inaugural distillation took place on the 6th November 2017 and the distillery's first whisky was bottled in 2021. 

Like other newcomers (think Lochlea, Raasay or The Hearach), Clydeside's presentation is sleek and modern, designed to stand out on the shelves. A nautical theme is evident on the labels, split in half by a horizontal stripe, echoing the Plimsoll line along a ship’s side indicating the maximum depth to which it may be safely immersed when loaded with cargo. The whiskies arrive reasonably priced and it's pleasing to note that they're bottled at a minimum of 46%, without chill filtration.

The Stobcross is named after a historic cross which once marked the route to Dumbarton Rock. The whisky is matured in a combination of Bourbon and Sherry casks. It's a fresh, lively style with floral notes, tropical tones, orchard fruits and hints of white pepper.

Other reviews... The Stobcross is obviously youthful, and it’s light, fruity and uniformly enjoyable, but to expect anything more than this would be unreasonable – it’s the first output from a completely new distillery. The flavour components that I’m finding show it’s got the makings of really interesting whisky – the tobacco whiffs in particular, but it does, like Wally said when we were chatting about it recently, feel like it could have benefitted with a little bit longer in the cask if only to develop the hints of flavours that always seem to be at arms reach. You want to grab hold of them and give them a good scrutinising, but they remain elusive, distant and frustratingly fleeting. A good opening gambit however and, with more time spent in the casks to develop the interesting flavour signatures, there’s no doubt the spirit flowing from the Clydeside Distillery will deliver the experience hinted at in the Stobcross. There’s a lot to be excited about and, with new and re-established distilleries popping up each year, Clydeside is perfectly positioned to become a prominent presence in what’s becoming Glasgow’s 21st century industrial revolution. - dramface.com