North British – 34 Year Old Single Grain An Edinburgh Dram Thompson Bros. (70cl, 40.1%)

A 34-year-old single grain Scotch whisky from North British, the Edinburgh distillery that began production in September 1887. Thompson Bros. bottled it at 40.1% as An Edinburgh Dram, and the label wraps its details in a colourful map of the city. It is bottled without chill-filtration or added colour, so it can turn cloudy when cold or when water is added. The whisky is sweet with a clear woody character, and has an oily texture and waxy notes. The nose brings brown Demerara sugar, rich vanilla cream and fruit jelly, with a little rubber and sawdust, then ripe stone fruit. On the palate there are honeycomb, stewed plums and plum jam. The finish moves from honey on toast to citrus pith, with softening wood.