North British 1985 Aged 32 Years Single Grain Scotch Whisky – Cadenhead (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 55.2%           Age: 32 Years Old            Country: Scotland

Date of Distilling: 1985
Date of Bottling: 2018
Matured In: A Single Sherry Butt
Un-Chillfiltered

Scotch Whisky is known the world-over by the Brand names of large blending companies. These blends are the mixture of the products of various distilleries which were originally independent family owned units. Until the middle of the 20th century there were many small firms that bottled and sold the pure product of the local distilleries. Since Victorian times the firm of William Cadenhead has provided this service. However a diminution of public interest caused the small bottling companies to close down. Only a small handful of distilleries still remain in the ownership of their founding families and even fewer of the bottling companies remain active, William Cadenhead is one of the notable survivors.

Recent revival of interest in the whisky from different single distilleries has caused a surge of new firms to emerge. Many do not actually control their bottling operations and unfortunately feel it necessary to invest fictitious ancestries. However William Cadenhead has a well established pedigree and the experience of over one and a half centuries ensures that our customers can truly rely on what we put in a bottle. They guarantee that they never chill-filter or chemically alter the products that they bottle nor do they add colouring agents. Each of their bottlings of whisky, and indeed of their rums and cognacs, comes from an individually selected cask.

The North British Distilling Company is a grain whisky distillery located in Edinburgh’ Gorgie district on the south west of the city. The distillery was originally founded by a group of independent distillers in 1885 and the site was selected due to its close proximity to the national railway network which allowed access to deliveries of grain and also easy access to product distribution. It was also close to the Port of Leith allowing for easy deliveries of maize and grain as well as an easy way to export products. The distillery was also positioned near the city sewer which allowed easy and efficient access to the flushing out of effluent. The site is currently owned by Lothian Distillers which is a venture jointly owned by Diageo and the Edrington Group. This was to increase the sales of Scotch whisky to India, China and South America and brought about production of 65,000,000 litres per annum. Mainly used in Johnnie Walker and Famous Grouse production.

This single grain whisky was distilled in 1985 at the North British Distillery before being placed in a single Sherry Butt and left to mature for no less than 32 years. It was bottled in 2018 at 55.2% ABV as part of the Cadenhead cask strength offerings. Only 582 bottles were made available to the world with few remaining.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich and oily, vanilla custard, tropical fruits, shortbread biscuits.

Palate: A delight on the palate, tropical fruits, hints of peaches and apple, cinnamon, white pepper and oak.

Finish: Medium to long with creamy chewy toffee, dried peaches, white pepper and dried spices.