Port Dundas was home to two distilleries; the first being established in 1811 by Daniel McFarlane then the second two years later by Brown, Gourlie & Co. Coffey stills were installed at both in 1845 and then in the 1860's they merged and then in 1877 they became part of DCL. Fire destroyed them in 1903 but they were rebuilt and reopened in 1913, then again in 1916 after another fire.

As part of Diageo Port Dundas produced 39million litres of spirit per year and has been a major contributor to blends such as Haig, Johnnie Walker and White Horse, but they closed the distillery in March 2010 and moved production to their new RoseIsle development.

Distillery photo with kind permission by Teimei Horiuchi

Port Dundas, Single grain whisky, 1980-2009, 28y, 51% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

"Dram-atics" live review

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Light yellow

Nose: A very fresh nose of vanilla, faint butterscotch and a very light nuttiness.

Palate: Slightly oily or waxy with a definite nuttiness and black pepper.

With 4 drops of water: The nose opens a little more to include wood alongside the light nuts. The palate is smoother with the nuts being enhanced somewhat. It's also a littler drier towards the finish.

With 4 more drops of water: The palate is lighter again and much smoother with most of the black pepper no longer being in evidence. It's also more floral and aromatic on both nose and palate.

Finish: Long and slightly nutty, drier and a little more intense as water is added.

Overall Impression: A light, but lively and intense single grain which I thoroughly enjoyed, it's a shame these are so rare and the distillery is no longer. It does benefit from some water.

Duncan Taylor, Port Dundas, Single grain whisky, 1973-2010, 37y, 56.1% ABV

Sherry Cask No.110324

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Rich amber

Nose: Rum, molasses, spirit, spent fireworks and hints of rubber all sitting in the yard of a sawmill. Yes, there's lots of wood in this.

Palate: Primarily rum and taosted wood vying for prominence.

With 4 drops of water: No great differences with water added, just more of the same but slightly more gentle on the nose and palate.

With 4 more drops of water: Again much the same, albeit now considerably weaker.

Finish: Long and quite invasive. Too long.

Overall Impression: Is this a grain whisky? Is it even a whisky (by flavour?) This sample was given to me by my old friend Oliver from over at Dramming.com and yes, he's still a good friend even after this sample, but he warned me it may nose a little like an aged rum. He certainly wasn't wrong, this has many attributes of a rum, but there's also far too much (toasted) wood for my liking.

I love grain whiskies in general, especially well-aged ones and this is the first I have tried from a sherry cask. Sadly, in this instance it doesn't work. Wood and sulphur seem to be spoiling the party for me.

Whisky & Rhum, Port Dundas, 31.1.1991-25.8.2011, 46% ABV

Cask No.15676, bottle No.19 of 302

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Reviewed (blind) as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Mildly golden

Nose: Initial hits of sweet bread dough are quickly followed by wood and furniture polish. After some minutes there's a suggestion of damp autum leaves, but it's all quite faint and subdued.

Palate: This is much less subdued than the nose with a burst of creamy toffee which is almost, but not quite, perfumed. In fact I'm reminded of a floral but quite dry sherry here. Leading towards the finish there's a suggestion of fligs and almond.

Finish: Long and quite dry.

Overall Impression: Really very enjoyable, even if the nose is subdued.