North British 1991/2024 Fragrant Drops 33 year old Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky 70 cl 41%

In the Gorgie district of Edinburgh, North British has been filling its stills with grain and patience since 1887. One barrel was set aside on the 29th of January 1991 and left untouched through three decades, while the city outside cycled through season after season. Eventually Keeble Cask Company found their way to it, and the result now joins the Fragrant Drops range.

Expert's Description

North British 33 Year Old Fragrant Drops is a Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky matured in two refill Ex-Bourbon casks and bottled at 41.0%. The whisky comes from the North British distillery in Gorgie, Edinburgh, where the grain spirit is distilled in continuous column stills — a very different process from the pot stills used for single malt whisky. The two casks, #204393 and #204403, were filled on the 29th of January 1991 and left to mature for almost 34 years before being married together and bottled on the 19th of December 2024 by Keeble Cask Company for their Fragrant Drops range. Only 240 bottles came from the two casks, and the whisky is neither chill-filtered nor coloured, so both strength and nuance come straight from cask and time.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Lavender arrives first, followed by a bright streak of lemon peel.

Palate

Marzipan, pecan and a soft note of porridge fill the mouth.

Finish

Apple skins and digestive biscuits linger long after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: North British 33 Year Old Fragrant Drops Lowland Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Distillery: North British
Bottler: Keeble Cask Company
Region/Country: Lowland, Scotland
Type: Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Age: 33 Years
ABV: 41.0%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Two refill Ex-Bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Distillation Method: Continuous column distillation
Distilled: 29th January 1991
Bottled: 19th December 2024
Number of Bottles: 240
Edition: Fragrant Drops

Flavour Profile

Sweet · Nutty · Soft · Lightly Floral

Did You Know?

North British is jointly owned by two rivals — Diageo and Edrington — who each hold half the distillery. That makes North British a kind of neutral ground in the Scotch whisky industry, its grain spirit forming the backbone of countless blends without ever carrying a famous distillery name on the label.

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Frequently Asked Questions About North British 33 Year Old Fragrant Drops

What makes North British 33 Year Old Fragrant Drops a special bottling?

It's a one-off release from two specific casks, #204393 and #204403, left to mature by Keeble Cask Company for almost 34 years. Only 240 bottles exist, and once they're gone, this exact combination won't be repeated.

What's the difference between Single Grain Whisky and Single Malt Whisky?

Single Malt Whisky must be made from 100% malted barley at a single distillery, while a Single Grain Whisky can include other cereals like corn or wheat and is distilled in a continuous column still. That gives a lighter, more neutral spirit which, in turn, can absorb a remarkable amount from the cask over long maturation — clearly visible in this 33 year old release.

Is a 33 year old Single Grain Whisky worth it?

Yes, if you value rarity and long ageing. Only two casks and 240 bottles exist of this release, and North British is known for giving its grain whisky a creamy, elegant character after decades of maturation — something rarely found in standard blends.

How should I serve an old Single Grain Whisky?

Serve it at room temperature in a tulip-shaped glass so the aromas can open up. Avoid ice, as it mutes the delicate, creamy notes from the cask. A single drop of water can open the whisky up further if you'd like.

Why are there only 240 bottles of this release?

The number depends entirely on how much liquid remained in the two casks after 33 years of maturation, with a share lost to evaporation as the "angels' share". Two casks yielded exactly 240 bottles — no more, no less.

What is North British Distillery known for?

North British in Edinburgh is one of Scotland's oldest and largest grain whisky distilleries, founded in 1885. It's now jointly owned by Diageo and Edrington and mainly supplies spirit for blended whisky, though the occasional cask like this one finds its way to bottle through independent bottlers such as Keeble Cask Company.