Cameronbridge 1991 25 Year (The Exclusive Grains)

Stop number 101 on the SDT features Cameronbridge. A Lowland grain distillery that most people haven't heard of, yet it's a major producer of grain whisky. It's the largest in Europe, according to my research. This independent bottling is from The Creative Whisky Co. as part of their Exclusive Grains range. Distilled in 1991 and bottled at the mature age of 25 (old enough to legally rent a car!). It matured in a refill butt (likely bourbon, though not specified), yielding 362 bottles. Bottled at cask strength of 52.9% ABV, it's non-chill filtered and has a natural honey-gold color. The aroma presents distinct grain notes, which we've all come to associate with unpleasant memories after trying single grains, but this... this is much smoother and not harsh at all, even at cask strength. Vanilla, oak, coconut, and toffee. More creamy vanilla, which is really the star here, and that's fine with me as I enjoy a prominent vanilla note in all my whiskies. Some anise, candied lemon, orange peel, and unsweetened banana chips. If allowed to sit for a while, some caramel and brown sugar notes emerge, but they are very subtle. Be warned, water will easily overpower this. A reasonable amount almost completely muted the aroma, leaving only some vanilla and oak. The palate is very straightforward. Grain alcohol notes, vanilla, coconut, oak, and very faint dried pineapple. After resting for a good 30 minutes or more, some orange oil appears and is a welcome addition. Water only brings out some chili spice and pepper. What's remarkable is that even at high proof, there's little to no heat. I anticipated much worse. A medium-bodied mouthfeel that is creamy, slightly oily, and mouthwatering. The finish is sadly brief, with vanilla, weak oak, coconut, and grain. This is a pleasant, mellow grain whisky. Not quite on par with Hedonism, but it can certainly outperform Girvan any day. The extended maturation period did little to enhance complexity but did remove most of the harshness common in grain whiskies. At $100, I'd rather just purchase a bottle of Hedonism. Much better than I anticipated, though. Grateful for the sample from a friend. 3.5 Cheers

The group sample tasting is nearing its end, at least until newer Scottish distilleries produce legal spirits. This is the second-to-last sample I need to review to complete this series: Cameronbridge. It's one of Scotland's largest grain distilleries. This is a 25-year-old, independently bottled expression from The Creative Whisky Company. It's bottled at 52.9% ABV and was provided by my friend from NJ. In the glass, it has a traditional golden yellow hue and appears oily with thick legs after swirling. The aroma is initially quite hot; I had to let it sit for a considerable time before detecting anything beyond peppery grain and alcohol burn. With time, I detected brown sugar, vanilla, mild citrus, and faint oak. The taste is typical for a grain whiskey – pepper and oak with underlying cereal notes, plus a bit of tropical fruit and vanilla. The harshness has certainly subsided, and it's actually quite smooth. The depth of flavors doesn't linger long, even after significant time in the glass. The heat returns strongly halfway through the sip, reminding me of the high ABV. The finish is long and steadily warming. Again, I didn't find much flavor complexity, but that's understandable for a grain spirit. It remains smooth, which is probably the highlight of this dram. For a single grain, I approve. Overall, it's not groundbreaking, but I can see why it's a great component in blends, and given this well-aged sample, I'll happily admit it holds up well on its own. My thanks again to a friend – I really enjoyed this one. 3.5 stars. Cheers.

You know that perfumey scent that's difficult to pinpoint? The one that's a bit floral, but also resembles vanilla, and slightly woody, and a bit spicy, with a hint of rubber? I had to search for it - it's ylang ylang, and it's what I detected on the nose immediately here. Those notes, along with the initial rush of hot alcohol, instantly brought perfume to mind, and a swift internet search later, I was able to confirm that - yes - ylang ylang was the obscure tasting note I was seeking. The palate is about as intricate as a grain whisky can be, which is to say not very, but the notes present - vanilla, treacle, shortbread, baking spice, a hint of something floral in the distance - are robust, flavorful, and harmonize well. I anticipated the palate would come across as really intense based on the nose, but while there's certainly a little bite to it, this is overall a rather smooth, well-integrated dram with about as long of a finish as I would expect from a single grain. If this were priced at, let's say, $50/bottle, I'd keep it on hand permanently for those occasions when "simple, but good" is what's required. Thanks, for sharing!

To start, I'm not a fan of grain spirits. The aroma offered sawdust initially, which isn't my preference, alongside notes of apples, pears, vanilla, hay, and other subtle floral qualities. This was a gift from a friend as we explore Scotland's offerings. Thanks again. After letting it rest for about 20 minutes, I felt it could certainly take some water, but let's try it neat first. The flavor is much better than I expected. Citrus notes truly burst forth with tangerines, oranges, lemons, and even a few cherries on the palate. The taste lingers somewhat on the finish, but it's a little too dry for my liking. This makes the Girvan seem pathetic. It's not something I would actively seek out, but if someone offered it, I'd give a quick smile. It's one of the better grains I've sampled, earning a 3.25 from me. No song, though, since it's not a malt. =D

This was one of my contributions to our final round of the tour between some friends. I don't believe I've ever had this single grain before. In fact, I'd never even heard of it. I truly enjoy the nose on this one...plenty of ripe fruits. Like bananas, peaches, and kiwi. Taste: I can't really feel the 50%+ ABV heat. It's gentle on the palate, with a slight lingering warmth. The palate hits you with freshly baked bread, oats, and ripe bananas. A great summer dram—light, fruity, cereal, without a strong layer of heat. I spent about $100 on this. Definitely not worth it at that price.