Port Dundas 46 Year Old 1971 Murray McDavid

Port Dundas is an industrial area north of Glasgow named after Sir Lawrence Dundas who pioneered the Forth & Clyde Canal, allowing the area to flourish. In 2009 the distillery closed and production moved to Cameronbridge and North British. I have the pleasure of tastings an old grain from this distillery bottled by Murray McDavid.

The nose bursts with vanilla and sultanas, but also some marzipan and crème brûlée appear. Then some butterscotch and something that reminds me of wood glue. Then some dried plants – which I was not expecting – and coffee ground. Finally some baked banana appears. A touch atypical, but very interesting.

The body is soft, the arrival mildly spicy. Think cloves and cinnamon with a hint of saffron. The tannins deliver a bitter note, but luckily it never becomes oaky. Having said that, I would not call it sweet per sé. Although some sultanas and banana appear, this is mostly sweet & sour on some grapefruit and gooseberries.

The finish is its strongest ally. Now it becomes really grand. Long, warm and wonderfully sweet on sultanas and dark honey with a peppery note at the death.

This grain came highly recommended and maybe that explains why I am left a tad disappointed. It is good, very good in fact, but not heavenly – except for the finish which is grand.