Single-grain whisky flows backstage in the whisky industry, hidden from the masses but favoured by whisky makers

Single-grain whisky will never be able to compete with its single-malt cousins. Its grain still distillation is less romantic, its flavours less celebrated, and its personality resides in an arena conquered by descriptions of floral notes and lowland smoothness (although single grain is produced in all of Scotland’s whisky regions.) 

Despite its gentler appearance on the Scottish whisky landscape, single grain can come wrapped in incredible flavours and with firm friends all over the world. Distillers and blenders particularly appreciate the gentle flavour notes imbued in single-grain releases. They use their superior nose and palate awareness to unpick flavours and lead them on a different kind of Scotch journey.

Here are three single-grain releases from our shelves to help you get to know the category better. 

Cambus 45 XOP 1976

Finding a 45-year-old whisky at this price point is as rare as the whisky within it. It’s possibly the poor opinion many whisky fans have of single grain, or it could be the lost history of Cambus itself, but until you try this four-decades-plus single hogshead creation, you can’t really judge. 

Cambus is a forgotten giant from the Lowlands that was allowed to fall in bad times. Owned by Diageo, the distilling operation was shut down in 1993, and this whisky engine became a cask-filling operation. Later, it became a huge cooperage destined never to distil again – but the echo of Cambus’s better days remains in bottles like this. 

Distilled in 1976 and bottled at 45.5%, it’s a wonderfully smooth and perfectly aged release. Created by Douglas Laing, the independent bottler and saviour of many lost whisky casks, it’s a testament to the great work of this proud family-run business.

The producer’s own tasting notes herald the aromas of autumn – damp leaves, softwood and blackberries. Its palate carries these dark fruits further, wrapping them in chocolate, vanilla and lemon zest.   

Girvan 25 Patent Still

This terrific single-grain release didn’t happen by accident. Its owners, William Grant & Sons, designed it to herald and represent the high standard of single-grain whisky produced at the lowlands Girvan distillery. 

Many fans fail to realise they discovered Girvan first in Grants blends, where the majority of its output goes. But the parent company is historically attached to Girvan and their ancestor’s Girvan Patent Still. This extra-mature series was created to represent the cornerstone of their story.

Bottled at 42%, it first appeared in 2013, making it a rare bottle today that’s hard to find. This edition in particular, is well sought after by fans due to its vintage and flavour. 

It’s a pale gold colour with a wonderfully aromatic nose that carries notes of fudge, cinnamon and vanilla. These lead effortlessly to a delicious palate of orange, toffee, nutmeg and spice.

This is a wonderfully aged grain, created with care and ambition.

Loch Lomond – Coopers Collection

This bottle is all about value for money – it’s a non-age-statement single grain from the Loch Lomond distillery that is matured in American oak and finished in Japanese Mizanura. It’s the youngest of this trio and distilled in one of Scotland’s youngest distilleries. 

It’s a perfect starting point for anyone seeking to try a great single grain at a price point that belies its Mizunara finish

Mizunara is an expensive wood but creates a wonderfully deep vanilla and umami flavour that is hard to replicate in other woods. It’s highly sought after by fans of Japanese whisky, and in this case, it’s a great partner to the Loch Lomond single-grain finish. 

Bottled at 50% ABV, this bottle’s nose is a series of gentle scents, including honeysuckle, blackcurrant, and oak. The palate is sweetly spiced with layers of honey, vanilla, and sandalwood. The finish is equally gracious with a warm cinnamon spice.  

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