Girvan 20yo Douglas Laing

Girvan distillery was founded in 1963 and is named after the neighbouring town of Girvan, located about 90 kilometres south of Glasgow. It is owned by William Grant & Sons who also own the Speyside single malt distilleries of Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie. The distillery produces single grain whisky that is used as the heart of Grant's popular range of blended whiskies. This particular espression was distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2010 by Douglas Laing as a 20 year-old single grain whisky.

The nose is quite light and dominated by lemon flavours. Next to the lemon biscuits there are vanilla as well as some spicy wood notes, followed by hints of wood polish.

The palate is medium-bodied and spicy. Vanilla is there, followed by caramel and a syrupy sweetness.

The finish is long and sweet. There are, again, notes of vanilla, followed by a lingering spiciness.

After twenty years in the cask the wood definitely makes itself felt here. In any case this was as unlike a grain whisky as I have ever tasted it, the usual fruitiness being rather diminished and the spiciness being quite prominent.