K&L California “OLD PARTICULAR’S GRAND FINALE” – Scotch Whisky News
OLD PARTICULAR’S GRAND FINALE
Not only do we have a 25 year old single barrel of Scotch at a full 62% proof for a mere $79.99, we’ve got all that from one of Scotland’s fallen soldiers: the mighty Cambus, closed forever in 1993. A rare and collectable treat!
The final cask from our most recent shipment of Old Particular single casks is this lovely little number from Cambus, one of Diageo’s top grain distilleries until it was closed forever in 1993. That means every bottle of Cambus that gets consumed from this point out moves the whisky a step closer to total extinction! This 25 year old single cask, originally distilled in September of 1991, is a glorious example of both Cambus and grain whisky at its most splendid. The nose is a hedonistic wave of butterscotch and vanilla, followed by tropical notes on the palate with plenty of oak spice and syrup. Those who love the banana element that can be found in Bourbon should go gaga for this. It’s difficult to believe the whisky is bottled at 62% ABV, mainly because of how rich and wonderful it is. While offering spice and plenty of heft, the power is still masked by the symphony of vanilla and syrup on the finish. For collectors who enjoy drinking whisky made at now-defunct facilities, a bottle of 25 year old Cambus represents quite an affordable luxury at $79.99. For fans of Scotch or even American whiskies who enjoy drinking delicious, cask strength, single barrel expressions, this is a must have.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 13, 2017
This isn’t the first cask of Cambus we’ve bottled in my time at K&L, but this 25 year easily represents the best value/quality ratio we’ve offered in some time in the legendary lore of “closed” distilleries. Drinking whisky from a “closed” distillery for Scotch fans is much like shopping for vintage couture in that it’s a chance to enjoy a piece of history once thought forever gone. Cambus was dismantled in 1993, but the whisky lives on in this bottle! Rich and full of vanilla bean, caramel, and burnt banana, this is a whisky that’s as easy to love as it is to drink. And it’s somewhat of a collectable. All that, at cask strength, for eighty bucks!
Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 14, 2017
I fell for Cambus the first time I tasted it. We did a single cask previously that just blew me away. I figured since the distillery closed more than two decades ago the chance of ever seeing it again was slim. But wait…another stunning bottle shows up and the richness, texture and pure opulence of this spirit all comes flooding back to me. To be honest this is a perfect illustration of how ridiculous it is that grain whiskey seems to be held in lower regard the malt. If straight drinking pleasure and satisfaction is your motivation I’d probably suggest the opposite. This has all the intensity, complexity and drinkability you could ever hope for…plus it’s 25 years old and pricing well under $100. You need this on your bar…and not just to look at…this is made for daily drinking.
Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 14, 2017
At this point I hope there are no holdouts that shop our whisky selection who believe that single grain whisky cannot deliver when it is by itself. If so please grab a bottle of this 25 year old Cambus to change your mind. This beauty opens up with soft notes of almond, vanilla, hay and early orchard fruit. There is an elegance here, but still plenty of flavor and complexity. Notes of creamy vanilla custard and grans intermingle with a rising notes of spice and a little heat that lingers long after that last sip.
