Port Dundas 20 Year Old 2000 Claxton’s Exploration Series

Port Dundas is an industrial estate about 2km north of Glasgow, named after Sir Lawrence Dundas, where the Port Dundas distillery was founded in 1811. On July 1, 2009, two years before its 200th anniversary, Diageo decided to close it and move production to Cameronbridge and North British. We taste a recent bottling of a Port Dundas 2000, bottled after 20 years by Claxton's in their so-called Exploration Series.

Sweet nose on marzipan, honey, sultanas and candied peach. Some coconut. A little floral. Think potpourri. But no wood glue or putt paint, which makes me happy. Crème brûlée after a few minutes of breathing. Nice, though.

Relatively soft and creamy, but immediately very sweet and a bit chemical. That was to be expected, of course. It doesn't even bother me. Gets very sweet on purple wine gums and banana sweets, but also coconut and cinnamon. Guimauve, vanilla and white chocolate kick in midpalate. I think it's all fine. And the strength is good. There is no need for water.

The finish is it’s great strength. It is surprisingly long, spicy warm and sweet at the same time. On the deathbed, the coconut emerges one more time.

Grain remains somewhat undervalued by many, in my (un)modest opinion. This is however enjoyable, though. Thanks, Benny!