Review: Single Cask Nation Invergordon Single Grain Scotch Whisky 46 Years Old

Scottish grain whiskies, distilled sometimes from wheat or corn on columns stills, don’t get a lot love within the Scotch world. Pot-distilled barley contributes extra taste and texture, or so the argument goes, and thus grain whisky is never bottled by itself. As an alternative, it serves because the workhorse for many blended Scotch, contributing sweetness and a lighter palate and often not a lot else. When it’s seen within the wild, it’s most frequently as an impartial bottling like this extra-aged Invergordon single grain unearthed by the chaps at Single Cask Nation again in 2020 and made out there solely to their “Nation” members.

The Invergordon Distillery is probably the most northerly grain distillery in Scotland and gives grain whiskies for a bunch of blends made by its mum or dad firm, Whyte & Mackay. It’s a relatively youthful operation by Scotch whisky requirements, and the whisky on this bottle would have gone into barrel not lengthy after it started working in 1960. Like most grain whisky, this one has been aged in an ex-bourbon barrel; on this case a second-fill ex-bourbon hogshead. We’ve lined a number of Single Cask Nation bottlings over time, however that is by far the oldest whisky we’ve encountered below their label. Let’s test it out.

The aroma is decadent and dignified, wealthy with a buttery caramel, virtually butterscotch, sweetness harking back to well-aged bourbon. Vanilla custard and a little bit of cinnamon sugar comply with swimsuit, and with some air, a contact of orange blossom honey and a little bit of lavender emerge. The palate is surprisingly energetic, exhibiting plenty of vitality regardless of its many years within the barrel. An preliminary brilliant, torched sugar sweetness and contact of woody spice give approach to notes of chewy caramel candies and doughy cinnamon rolls. The end sees the darkish brown sugar notes construct till the arrival of damp barrel notes and delicate muddled mint which lingers with a mild bitterness and diluted sweetness, just like the final sip of julep. It’s an extremely distinctive and pleasurable whisky and a uncommon instance of how advanced grain whisky may be. In the event you’re actually, actually affected person.

92.4 proof.

A- / $295 / singlecasknation.com

Single Cask Nation Invergordon Single Grain Scotch Whisky 46 Years Previous

$295

Score

9.0/10

About Submit Writer

Drew Beard

Drew Beard is Assistant Editor and Social Media Supervisor for Drinkhacker. He has studied and written about beer, whisk(e)y, and different spirits since he first began consuming them, incomes a number of booze-related benefit badges alongside the best way, together with Licensed Specialist in Spirits and Government Bourbon Steward. Along with his work with Drinkhacker, Drew can also be Spirits Editor for Santé Journal. A recovering Federal authorities worker, he’s joyful to have lastly discovered a profession the place it’s acceptable to drink on the job.