Stop number 84 on the SDT Strathclyde. This Lowland grain distillery is mostly used in blends and I’m not really sure if it releases anything under its own name. This particular bottle is from the Old Particular line from the independent bottlers at Douglas Laing. Cask #11952 was distilled in November 2005 and bottled in July 2017. The information given says that it was finished in a sherry butt, however I suspect the primary maturation was a refill bourbon cask. One of 638 bottles, bottled at cask strength (or close to it) of 55.5% ABV and is non chill filtered and natural color of amber honey. The nose begins with a typical grain profile but with a nice sherry influence. Lots of vanilla and oak. Toffee, sulphur and weak coffee. Apples & cinnamon, buttercream. A strange pencil eraser and rubber band note. A little cherry and a bit nutty - almonds and cashews. Grassy/hay and a little mint. A very faint cola note with a brief perfume/musk cologne feel. I added a bit of water because of the strength and it yielded a nice confectionary quality. Powdered sugar and more creamy notes. A little coconut, red berries, biscuits and nutmeg. A bit malty/bread like and a touch of honey. Really nice complexity for an 11 year old grain whisky. I’m impressed. The palate is rich and full flavored. Sherry, cherry and red grapes. A strong grain taste, but not harsh like many others I’ve had. Oak, creamy, honeydew, buttery and some sulphur. Toffee, brown sugar/molasses, spice cake and coffee. Medium to full bodied mouthfeel. Dry and mouthwatering at the same time. A medium length finish with caramel, coffee, oak and dry sherry. Well, I must say I went into this one with the mindset that I would be dealing with drain cleaner, but I came out being very much surprised and delighted with a quality offering from Douglas Laing. Incredible depth of flavor given the age of the spirit. The sulphur notes were a little off putting but nothing I couldn’t get past, as were the grainy notes. Otherwise it was very enjoyable. It’s a bit overpriced for its age at $82, but I would recommend it to anyone that likes a strong characterful whisky. I initially thought equated it to a cask strength, sherried version of Hedonism, but after finishing it I do not believe it is as refined. I’ll give it a 3.75 and a big thanks to @Scott_E for the sample. Cheers