CLYDESIDE STOBCROSS Lowland Single Malt

Nose: Apple, vanilla, subtle woody notes, sweet citrus, light fruit cake, caramel. Adding water enhances floral aromas. Palate: Fruity arrival with fresh apples, pears, and stone fruit, plus stewed fruits (figs, dates, apricot) and sultanas. There's a faint chocolate biscuit note and some nutty sherry. The texture is good. Finish: Short. Continues the palate with the impression of sherry intensifying as it transitions into the aftertaste. Clydeside Distillery was established in 2016, with production commencing the following year. It is owned by Morrison Glasgow Distillers Ltd., which is connected to the independent bottler Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers (though the two entities are separate). The distillery is situated in the Pump House, a renovated historic structure adjacent to the River Clyde. Their inaugural whisky was released in 2021, and they now offer several expressions in their core lineup. The distillery features an engaging visitor center that highlights Glasgow's history and industry on the Clyde, along with various tours. A tasting session is included in the basic tour, featuring four of their whiskies, with this being the third sampled. Stobcross is a 5-year-old blend of the distillery's bourbon-cask and sherry-cask aged whiskies, with a focus on the bourbon-matured component. Unsurprisingly, it tastes very similar to the young "bourbon cask" expression tasted earlier but with added depth and a touch of nutty sherry. Interestingly, the sherry component functions here like a spice that complements the bourbon background, proving to be a successful approach. There's also a fresh cereal aspect to the whisky, possessing a delicate character, yet it is not insubstantial. It serves as a fine example of contemporary, young Lowland whisky. Tasted at Clydeside Distillery, April 22, 2025 "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

Astringent coloring dyes.