Tasting no less than 7 Inchgowers

I do not see this distillery to often, but this should be a treat considering there's quite a few oldies in this session.





















Inchgower 12yo 40% OB Arthur Bell & Sons

I don't think there are any standard OBs from Inchgower today, but there is a 14yo in the flora & fauna series. The color on this one is amber, colored with E's. It smells cinnamon and spices, gingerbread, oranges, white wine reduction, peppery, very nice one. The taste is perfumy, cinnamon, tobacco, ginger, drying, wheat, tonic, a lot of sherry notes going on here. Impressive for a 12yo OB, not many of those around these days, at least not at this strength.

A perfect introduction to Inchgower?: 6


Inchgower 28yo 1982-2010 50.7% Bladnoch Distillery Forum cask#6966

Amber hue on this one. It smells soft, wheat, boiled rice, esteragon, earthy, a much tamer version than the 12yo. The taste is sweet, floral, honey, red bell peppers, cinnamon, cigars, parsnip, sweet and delightful, could've been any light 10-12yo speysider. But then again, there are no off-notes, no spirity notes, no oaky notes even after 28 years in wood, so it's really letting the quality of the spirit speak up.

A nice and light oldie, to enjoy at any occasion: 6.5


Inchgower 26yo 1976-2002 49.9% Hart Brothers

Pale color on this one. It smells oaky, a lot of woof influence, spirity, raw, vinegar. Leaves a bit to be desired. The taste is gentle, grassy, winey, rhubarb, garlic, thyme, sour-herbal profile... Let's add some water. Now it turns more bitter, grassier, lesser of the good stuff though I must admit it was kinda scarce to begin with as well.

Tired wood?: 4


Inchgower 19yo 54.3% Master of Malt

Another very pale one. It smells rich, caramel, parsnip, cloves, dry tea, herbs, tea-shop, peaches, dried fruits, a small tea-monster. The taste is "apples and oranges" A bit of everything from the fruit world, not all blending in too well. Pears, mango, lemon, kiwi, apricot and more. However it comes of a bit weak, peppery with small hints of hay in the finish.

Sad, the nose promised so much more: 4


Inchgower 29yo 53.9% Master of Malt

Another one from the Master of Malt. I remember they priced this one very fairly. Too bad theis shop doesn't ship to Norway anymore. The color is light golden. It smells rich, deep fry, grits, fatty, licorice, cinnamon, wheat crackers, dry. Its not far from the prior two, but it is enhanced by a lot more concentrated aromas, which I quite like. The taste is thick and rich, creamy, sour cream, cinnamon, banana, marzipan, one of the best arrivals I've had. Then it turns lightand peppery. Bitter notes, austere, grassy, fuchsia fruit in the finish.

An arrival of perfection, then it went down from there on: 6.5


Inchgower 28yo 1982-2010 56.2% Berry Bros & Rudd cask#6968

BB&R is yet to disappoint me, bottling a lot of older casks to affordable prices (in comparison to many others on the market these days). Another light golden hue. Many old whiskies in this session, but not a dark one so far. Who said color matters? It smells of wheat, hay, orange zest, honey, apple vinegar. The taste is sour and bitter, a lot going on, lime juice, coffee beans, stearic, spicy, Wow!

If you like a strong one, I know I do: 7


Inchgower 12yo 59% James MacArthur's

I often finish my sessions with a young J.McA at very high strengthg. I see some again go from youngest to oldest. I think a high strength whisky will easily dominate a 40-43% no matter how old it is. Finishing with the most heavily peated on the other hand I completely agree with, peat leaves more taste than alcohol. Pale white wine color on this one. It smells spirity, rubber, burnt plastic, as raw as it gets. The taste is fat, butter, baked beans, oil, bacon, pesto The finish is bittersweet, long, herbal and peppery.

Contrary to others in this session, this finishes on a high note: 7



Next tasting: Miltonduff Distillery