Port Dundas 28 Year Old Cask Strength Single Grain Whisky
Sovereign K&L Exclusive Single Cask
51.3% ABV
$80
Website
What the Reseller Says
Built in 1811, Port Dundas grew throughout the 19th and early 20th century by absorbing neighboring producers. It quickly became Scotland’s largest distillery. During its long history on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal in Glasgow, this grain whisky powerhouse provided much of the juice for the Johnnie Walker and White Horse blended whiskies. With Diageo’s expansion and modernization of Cameronbridge in the early 2000s, production at Port Dundas ceased, and in 2011 the landmark site was completely demolished. That closure makes this 28 year old single grain whisky a veritable piece of history. And at the same time, one of the most affordable ghost distilleries available on the market. Nearly every time we have the opportunity to purchase old grain from Port Dundas at this kind of price, we have to take it. The whisky is too enjoyable to pass up. Just as it’s been a workhorse for blenders for 200 years, it’s a workhorse in nearly every K&L staff member’s whisky collection.
From the bottle:
From the bottle:
Distilled February 1990, Bottled July 2018
1 of 239 Bottles
Cask Ref: HL15272
Aged in a Refill Hogshead, Bottled at Cask Strength
Non Chill-Filtered, Natural Colour
An almost tropical nose with coconut and pineapple both in attendance, along with the expected vanilla and a touch of honeydew melon. Apricot, raspberry and a touch of menthol on the palate leading to a finish of orange, maple syrup and more coconut notes.
What Gary Says
Nose: Heather, vanilla sponge cake, grilled peaches, pears with subtle tropical fruit notes of kiwi and coconut.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with vanilla, honey, coconut, malt, buttered biscuits with peaches and cream.
Finish: Long and damp with vanilla, honey and fading fruit salad.
Comments: Long time readers of the blog (all 4 of you) know that grain whisky isn’t my favorite category. I bought my first bottle back in 2016 while in the U.K. because for a 25 year old it was a bargain – and ironically enough it too was a Port Dundas, distilled in February 1990 (but bottled in May 2015). This definitely reminds me of that, being very subtle and gentle, and needing some time in the glass to open up. I appreciate the mouthfeel, and in terms of value (only $80 freaking dollars?) it would be hard to beat.