Port Dundas 1964 Scott's Selection
Baked banana with candied sugar
0 582
Review by @markjedi1
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall82
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- Brand: Port Dundas
- Type: Scotch
- Region: Lowland
- ABV: 44.1%
This grain distillery can be found a few miles north of the heart of Glasgow, in the Lowlands, and is the property of drinks giant Diageo. In april 2010 (on the 200th anniversary of the distillery), they closed it for economical reasons. 140 people lost their jobs. The grain whisky produced here formed the packers in blends such as Haig, Johnnie Walker and White Horse. Today, I'm trying a Scott's Selection Port Dundas 1964, bottled at cask strength at 46 years old.
The nose bursts with vanilla and corn on the cob, but it also has some sultanas in there. Marzipan, butterscotch, crème brûlée and a pinch of safron make this a complexe and very interesting nose. After a while, it offers banana with candid sugar. Lovely.
Unfortunately, the attack is rather watery, but after a few seconds in the mouth, you do get a nice array of dark fruits (prunes, figs). Sherry cask, probably. Softly spiced and a touch bitter at the end.
The finish, unfortunately, is where things fall apart. This Port Dundas is gone before you know it. Pity!
While a bottle is between £100 and £130 nowadays - which is a lot for a single grain, but a bargain if you consider this is almost half a century old - I do find it worth seeking this one out. It's one of the best single grains I've had and can compete with many single malts out there (despite the weak finish).
Like most of the whiskies you review, I wish I could get my hands on this. It sounds quite rare though.