Door No.3 presents us with a well-aged grain whisky from Edinburgh-based Caledonian distillery which sadly closed its doors forever back in 1988. At one time it was the biggest grain distillery in Britain. This bottling was released earlier in 2017 which means, that at 29 years of age, it was amongst some of the last ‘Cally’ to be distilled.
Nose: Wood lacquer, polish and Honey Nut Loops. Lovely aged cereal notes merge with well-judged vanilla, honeycomb, white chocolate and steeped tea. Water adds a dusty aroma and transforms the breakfast cereal into Shreddies.
Taste: Creamy and juicy offering vanilla custard, bright roasted cereals and slightly sour citrus. Wood notes still favour polish and varnish, but feel very naturally integrated. The addition of water heightens the cereal notes and gives them a sugar-coated dusting.
Finish: Long and emphasising sour fruit, oak and an ever so slight sprinkle of salt.
Excellent aged Grain, this Caledonian has been left in the cask for the perfect amount of time to offer well balanced wood influence, juicy fruits and some old-school breakfast cereal goodness. Perhaps not the best way to start your day, but an excellent way to end it. Tasty, tasty.