Strathclyde 2005/2016 10yo DL ‘Old Particular’ #11062 50.9%

I thought i’d start my blogging debut and jump right in with a tasting review of what i’m drinking right now – a 10yo Strathclyde.

N: As a [my] general rule, grain whisky requires great age [in super casks] for best results. Strathclyde [currently owned by Chivas Regal] seems to evade that rule. Inspiringly, this single cask shows mineral qualities intwined amongst the sherry notes, honey=toffee>butterscotch, chewing gum, caramel and Mini-milk – and for a grain whisky of limited years, thats quite some complexity.

T: Yes, yes, yes! This one shines out immediately, hits the mark then moves on. It’s strong but perfectly presentable and drinkable at strength and really doesn’t want any more than a few drops of water.

F: Once the intense fruit burst has past, a buttery-mineral, [grassy-oak] dry-sweet syrup triumphs. 50/50 aniseed/sweet-liquorice with water. Oozes at the end, the sherry cask showing its worth whilst allowing the distillate room also.

C: Is Strathclyde the new Carsebridge? Here you’re getting great distillate wrapped up in a great sherry cask. Surely 1st fill?… yet more subtle than some other, high-octane, yet equally brilliant young Strathclyde’s. Is this is purely down to the cask? We are seeing some super young Strath’s coming out in the last few years. For example, [another] Douglas Laing, 2005 9yo single cask #10710 WB which Serge Valentin WF thought was great. Why don’t we follow up with that one right after this.

Scores 90 points