The Leith Export Company Single Grain

Nose: Balsa wood, pencil shavings, sandalwood, vanilla, cornflakes. Water makes the nose more “grainy” and cereal in character. Palate: The arrival is reminiscent of pine-tree resin but rather than being bitter it is curiously sweet and creamy. I guess it’s a little toffee-ish but the bright cereal and wood notes keep the sweetness in check. Adding water is not a good idea as it unleashes bitterness. Finish: Short. Cereal and light wood, sour if watered. This “Table Whisky” (as Port of Leith calls it) is a single grain sourced from the massive North British distillery in Edinburgh and is matured in virgin oak and oloroso sherry casks. The maturation is, however, clearly minimal and I’d be surprised if this is any more than 4 or 5 years old. The distillery is making this a virtue by focusing on the crisp, youthful character of the spirit and promoting it as an everyday dram for casual consumption. It’s OK but not something I would recommend as anything other than a curiosity. It is clearly a stop-gap product to hold the fort until Port of Leith has their own single malt ready, and when that day comes I expect this whisky will be quietly dropped from their range. Tasted at the distillery. “Average” : 77/100 (2.5 stars)