Claxton's Grain Barn

Claxton's are well known for their square Warehouse No. 1 bottles - they take up more than the usual amount of shelf space!

Recently they've released a core range which added to this single grain.

Grain Barn 30yo has been around for a year or so but is now part of the Claxton's 'Core Range' which includes Glencarrick 10yo, Smoking Furnace & Red Comyn 12yo.

Bottler notes:

Claxton’s knows that mature grain whisky, aged in the best oak casks, can create an excellent dram. Matured and bottled at Claxton’s, this 30-year-old single-grain whisky has benefitted from traditional-style warehousing in the former grain stores of Sandbed Farm on the Dalswinton Estate.

During maturation, grain whisky gains a distinctive flavour and draws its colour from the cask, enhancing the grain spirit’s distinctive characteristics.

  

 

Bottled at 48% ABV non-chill-filtered

 

 

Let's see what it's like.... 

Appearance: Mid gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line take an age to bead up forming an inverted crown before falling as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: old vanilla pods, rum and raisin ice cream and a lovely buttered popcorn note. There's some toasted oak - 30 years does that to you! There's some digestive biscuit, icing sugar dusted dried pineapple and a little lime zest.

Palate: thick creamy arrival - loads of rum and raisin ice cream, a little honey, buttered popcorn and a lovely clove spice. 30 years has given this some complexity and each sip pulls you in deeper. There's a lovely orange marmalade note, some marzipan and a hint of distant smoke. a little drying leaving you wanting to try some more.

Finish: Medium length vanilla, buttered popcorn, orange marmalade and spice.

Overall: So those in the know say this is an Invergordon dram, others suggest a Lowlands distillery like Girvan - who knows? Like most aged single grains it oozes quality - vanilla pods, toasted oak and rum and raisin ice cream - yummy!