Strathclyde 28yo, 1988-2016, Old Particular, Douglas Laing, Specially Selected for K&L Wines, Refill Barrel Ref - DL11518, 208 bottles, 58.2% abv.

The interesting thing about this Ballantine's component is that it used to house Kinclaith malt distillery, which supposedly was just a set of stills. These stills and accompanying equipment were removed to make room for more grain production, thus making the Kinclaith stills a "closed distillery". Unfortunately, Kinclaith is quite the Lowland rage currently while Strathclyde is not.

Nose: the newly opened bottle initially gave a very strange pseudo-floral/vegetative smell, but after a few minutes I got the standard chocolate vanilla notes, but quite strong.

Palate: super sweet, major vanilla on the mid and back palate, could feel the flavor intensity assisted by the high abv. After a few sips, the back palate has hints of cherry flavored cough syrup. All vanilla, all day.

Finish: long, hot, vanilla cream. The finish gets shorter with each sip though.

Wow, a very flavorful grain, brings the heat along with the chocolate vanilla, not so much coconuts this time. Again, I wouldn't say it's liquid diabetes, but close. Again, every time I try a grain whisky, it only re-confirms my fondness for them. Better than the Garnheath 43 I just had.

Grade: B+

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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