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Girvan Grains from Fib

Fib is an independent bottler with a unique approach to single cask Scotch whisky. Rather than bottling one cask at a time, Fib prefers to get creative with the spirit it acquires. Half of the cask is bottled as it comes whilst the other half is given an additional maturation in a second cask. In this review, I’ll be looking at two single grains from the Girvan Distillery that have been given this very treatment.

Girvan Distillery is owned by William Grant & Sons. It was built in 1963 to provide the owner with a reliable supply of grain spirit for their blended Scotch brands. The distillery also housed the Ladyburn malt distillery until it closed in 1975 and in 2007, malt production returned, in the form of Ailsa Bay. Girvan is also the home of the hugely successful Hendrick’s Gin.

The whiskies featured in this review are part of Fib’s Series II release. The spirit was matured in a refill hogshead for 25 years before being partially bottled in the Copper & Oak range. The remainder of the liquid was then transferred to a PX sherry cask that had previously held an Islay single malt.

*Full disclosure: the samples featured in this review were sent to me free of charge. As always, I will strive to give an honest opinion on the quality of the drams and the value for money they represent.

Fib Whisky Girvan 25-year-old (Copper & Oak)

Matured for 25 years in a refill hogshead, this single grain has been bottled at 45% abv.

Tasting notes: A biscuity nose with caramel, honey and Ginger Snaps. It’s buttery with light floral notes and gentle oak in the background. The palate delivers toffee, fudge and dusty muesli with a subtle oakiness and gentle spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Thoughts: A solid example of the grain style. Over its 25 years in cask, the spirit has developed well and arguably shows more complexity than other grains I’ve encountered of a similar age. It retains a lightness on the palate that works well with its clean, cereal-forward profile and never feels over-oaked despite its age. All of that said, I’m not sure that it does quite enough to fully pique my interest in buying a bottle but if you’re new to grain whisky this could be an appealing way to delve into the category.

Price: £77. We’re not exactly in the bargain category but paying less than £80 for a whisky of 25 years has a definite appeal.

Fib Whisky Girvan 26-year-old (Permutations)

Matured for 25 years in a refill hogshead then finished in a PX sherry cask that previously held Islay single malt. Bottled at 46.8% abv.

Tasting notes: Things have taken an interesting turn. The spirit is showing off its fruity side with pineapple and mango on the nose, mingling with the same floral notes and biscuity cereals of the previous dram. Fudge and butterscotch with some tiny wisps of smoke in the distance. That smoke is more pronounced on the palate, seasoning the whole experience with smoky black pepper. Toffee, honey and some dried fruits – currants in particular.

Thoughts: For me, there can be no doubt that this is the more interesting of the two whiskies. The finish in the peated PX cask has been delicately handled and what could so easily have overpowered the subtle grain character has instead enhanced it, bringing forth new layers of flavour in the spirit. The smoke is only subtle, and so too is the PX influence, but they still bring an X factor to the party. One of the most enjoyable grains to have crossed my desk in some time.

Price: £83. As before, this is an approachable price for a whisky of such age.

For more about Fib Whisky visit here

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