AVB
Jesus of Cool, I'm bad, I'm nationwide
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
- Messages
- 23,422
Inchgower 14 yo Sperside Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, Standard bottle, no additional packaging, 86 proof, 700ml, Not available in the US, About $85 in my scotch buys
With only 2 official distillery releases, this being one of them, in the last decade or more, Inchgower isn't that well known amongst the US single malt drinkers. With 4 stills and producing over 2 million liters a year mostly for Bells, Johnnie Walker and White Horse blends it uses less then 1% of the output in Single Malts. Although the distillery was built in 1871 it is really older having moved from the Tonicheal distillery (built in 1824) when the landlord there doubled the rent! It is also unusual in that the nearby town of Buckie bought and ran the distillery for 6 years before selling it to Arthur Bell & Sons. Like most distilleries it was closed during both wars but didn't have any extended periods of closure as so many others did.
Inchgower, IMO, seems to take age very well. The 27 yo Rare Malts is a superb dram as is the 24 yo Coopers Choice bottling although not quite as good as the Rare Malts. There is also a 19 yo Sherry Casked version bottled by Cadenhead that came out in the mid 90's which I found quite nice too.
This, however, isn't up to the same lofty standards as the previously mentioned drams. I'm certain another 5-10 years would do wonders for it though.
As you can see this is a fairly pale yellow-gold in the bottle and lightens up more in the glass. The nose is very light and fresh with grass and a bit of apple mixing with a touch of sweetness. The taste is jasmine and orange mixing with a fairly good amount of spiciness. It all finished up in a medium length of time with a perfumey quality and a bit of tartness.
Overall a nice light, fresh, easy drinking dram that needs just a touch of something to bring it out of the middle of the pack.
With only 2 official distillery releases, this being one of them, in the last decade or more, Inchgower isn't that well known amongst the US single malt drinkers. With 4 stills and producing over 2 million liters a year mostly for Bells, Johnnie Walker and White Horse blends it uses less then 1% of the output in Single Malts. Although the distillery was built in 1871 it is really older having moved from the Tonicheal distillery (built in 1824) when the landlord there doubled the rent! It is also unusual in that the nearby town of Buckie bought and ran the distillery for 6 years before selling it to Arthur Bell & Sons. Like most distilleries it was closed during both wars but didn't have any extended periods of closure as so many others did.
Inchgower, IMO, seems to take age very well. The 27 yo Rare Malts is a superb dram as is the 24 yo Coopers Choice bottling although not quite as good as the Rare Malts. There is also a 19 yo Sherry Casked version bottled by Cadenhead that came out in the mid 90's which I found quite nice too.
This, however, isn't up to the same lofty standards as the previously mentioned drams. I'm certain another 5-10 years would do wonders for it though.
As you can see this is a fairly pale yellow-gold in the bottle and lightens up more in the glass. The nose is very light and fresh with grass and a bit of apple mixing with a touch of sweetness. The taste is jasmine and orange mixing with a fairly good amount of spiciness. It all finished up in a medium length of time with a perfumey quality and a bit of tartness.
Overall a nice light, fresh, easy drinking dram that needs just a touch of something to bring it out of the middle of the pack.
