Introduction Grain whisky aged over three decades doesn’t come along every day, and that’s exactly what drew me to this bottle. I’ve always been intrigued by older single grain expressions – partly because they’re often overlooked, and partly because they offer a different perspective on whisky maturity. I picked up this North British 33 Year Old with curiosity more than expectation, wondering what subtleties thirty-plus years in cask would coax out of a grain spirit from a Lowland distillery not often in the spotlight. Nose From the first sniff, this dram gives away its age with a mellow and rounded aroma. There’s an initial wave of polished oak and light vanilla, followed by faint caramel and a touch of dusty spice. I also picked up some soft orchard fruit – a mix of cooked apple and pear, gently stewed in their own sweetness. The nose isn’t loud or particularly complex, but there’s a grace to it, with everything in place and no sharp edges. Palate It opens softly and takes its time to unfold. The mouthfeel is on the lighter side, quite silky, with a gentle sweetness coming through early on – mostly vanilla fudge and light toffee notes. The grain character is noticeable, but it’s been softened by the time spent in wood. Mid-palate I got a touch of white pepper and old oak, and on a second sip, hints of coconut and almond developed. It’s not overly complex, but it’s well-balanced and clean, and it stays consistent as you go back to it. Finish The finish is fairly short, but pleasant. That soft vanilla and oak combination lingers a bit, along with a mild warming note – almost like baked pastry crust. There’s no bitterness and no heavy tannin even after so many years in cask, which I appreciated. It fades quietly, with the sweetness gently tapering off. Price and Value Considering this is a 33-year-old whisky, the price was more reasonable than I anticipated. Aged grain whisky tends to fly under the radar, and that works in favour of anyone looking for excellent value in well-matured spirits. It doesn't offer the intensity or layered complexity of a similarly aged single malt, but it delivers subtlety and an easy-drinking maturity that felt well worth the asking price. Background The North British distillery, located in Edinburgh, operates as a grain distillery producing spirits for blending, using mainly maize as the base grain. It doesn’t often release single grain expressions under its own name, so finding an independently bottled North British – especially one aged for 33 years – is relatively rare. This bottling comes from Thompson Bros in collaboration with Royal Mile Whiskies. Distilled in 1988 and bottled in 2021, it was matured in a refill hogshead, allowing the spirit to breathe and evolve slowly without becoming dominated by wood. Final Notes Would I buy this whisky again? Yes, I think I would. Not because it’s showy or especially complex, but because it offers a peaceful, contemplative dram with honest character. It’s easygoing yet quietly refined – the kind of whisky that rewards attention but doesn’t demand it. Is this a good option for someone new to whisky? I’d say yes, provided they approach it with patience. There’s no peat or overwhelming oak here, just a clean and mellow profile that could be a nice entry point to aged grain. As for what kind of moment suits this whisky, I found it to be a natural fit for quiet evenings – perhaps when you just want something calm to wind down with, rather than a dram that steals the conversation. Finally, how does it compare to other Lowland whiskies? It's quite different from the younger and more citrus-forward styles you sometimes find in the region. This has older, more settled flavours, with grain at the centre rather than malt – and that makes it a unique addition to any Lowland-focused collection.