Times Jumbo 685

[MCC]

As this doesn't seem to have troubled anyone else, I think I'm going to feel stupid when I get the answer! However, it's 27 down, and the clue is - "Helium, say, will be involved in no short explosion." (5,3)
I've got "?o?l? g?s"
(If geo939 gets it, he can have a glass of Bunnahabhain out of my bottle!)

[bthbn]

Noble gas

Beth

[crofter]

Well done, Beth - Quite a clever clue this!

Helium is a noble gas!
say = EG inside "NO BLAS(T)"

[MCC]

Thanks to Beth for the answer, and Crofter for the explanation. I'm no scientist, so I don't feel too stupid!

[geo0939]

Very kind offer thanks MCC. I'd love to join you in one but distance may be tricky, so I'll just use the bottle I have opened.
Isn't it lovely, though?

[MCC]

Aye, Geo, it's great stuff. Slainthe mhath!