Caledonian 1987/2018 31 years old Signatory Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky 50,2%

Caledonian sat in the middle of Edinburgh and was in its day the largest grain distillery in Europe. Today there are flats on the site, and the only thing left stands in bottles.

Expert description

Caledonian 1987/2018 Signatory Vintage 31 Years is a Single Grain Scotch Whisky bottled at 50.2% without chill filtration and without added colour.

The whisky was distilled in 1987 and bottled in 2018 in a run of 249 bottles. Caledonian was founded in 1855 in Edinburgh's Dalry district and closed in 1988, which places this spirit among the final production years.

Grain whisky is rarely matured for three decades, because it is traditionally used young in blends. That is precisely why old grain bottlings have become a category of their own: the light, creamy character develops over time into vanilla, fudge and coconut with a velvet texture.

Tasting notes

Nose

Vanilla and cream caramel with coconut, ripe pear and a stroke of freshly cut oak.

Palate

Silky and creamy with toffee, honey and citrus oil. There is a fine grainy elegance that only long maturation delivers.

Finish

Long and warm with fudge, light spice and a pleasant dryness.

Specifications

Name: Caledonian 1987/2018 31 Years Signatory Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky 50.2%
Distillery: Caledonian
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Lowlands, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 31 years
ABV: 50,2%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 1987
Bottled: 2018
Number of bottles: 249
EAN no.: 5021944097937

Flavour profile

Creamy · Vanilla · Sweet · Elegant · Mature

Investment potential

High. The distillery is closed and demolished, the vintage comes from its final operating years, and the run is 249 bottles. Whisky from closed grain distilleries is a steadily shrinking group.

Did you know?

Caledonian was known as the Caley by Edinburgh residents, and its old chimneys were a landmark in the west of the city for decades. Only a single distillery building remains standing today.

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Frequently asked questions about Caledonian 1987/2018 31 Years Signatory Vintage Single Grain Scotch Whisky 50.2%

What is single grain whisky?

Whisky from one distillery made from grain other than solely malted barley, typically wheat or maize, and distilled in a column still. It is lighter and creamier than single malt. Read more about the differences in our blog.

Why is whisky from closed distilleries interesting?

Because the supply is fixed and only shrinks. There will never be more Caledonian, and every bottle opened leaves the market. See more under Closed Distilleries Whisky.

Is it worth the money?

Thirty-one years in cask, 249 bottles and a distillery that is gone. The combination of age and a closed distillery is what carries the bottle, not the cask type alone.

What does old grain whisky taste like?

Soft and creamy with vanilla, coconut and fudge. After three decades it takes on a velvet texture and a depth many find surprising, because grain whisky is often dismissed as blending material.

When did Caledonian close?

The distillery was founded in 1855 and closed in 1988. Most of the buildings were subsequently demolished, and the area is now housing.

Should I add water?

At 50.2% it is ready to drink neat. A few drops of water can bring the coconut and vanilla notes forward more clearly without the whisky losing its body.