Door number 4 of the 2018 Boutique-y Advent Calendar delivers the first of several sojourns into grain whisky - Invergordon 25 year old Batch 9. An older batch, and seemingly sold out (so some of you might have an 18 year old blended whisky in your calendar as a replacement) – but, grain fans should fear not - since 2012 Boutique-y have bottled up 12 batches (varying in age from 10 all the way up to 44 years of age) from this distillery – I’m certain another one won’t be far away.
The 9th batch consisted of 1093 bottles and was delivered at 49.8% ABV. Originally nicely priced for its age at £49.95 – long may that sort of thing continue.
Nose: Incredibly buttery with brioche, cinema popcorn and vanilla cream. Apple pastries, coconut pudding and spent coffee grounds sit in the background, alongside just a little shout of overt grain acetone. The addition of water adds some pleasant toffee, but at the same time dulls the other aromas.
Taste: Sweet stuff. The ex-bourbon flavours are up first – vanilla, oaty cereals and griddled pancakes. The some fruit – mainly apple – funfair toffee apple though – everyone likes those. The mid palate highlights the grain with varnish and creosote, but also tapioca pudding and coconut oil. Reduction has a similar effect as on the nose – everything is dialled back. Whilst this lessens some overt woodiness, it also diminishes definition making for a melange of soft vanilla butter cream, toffee, and little else.
Finish: Medium to long with drying oak, cacao nibs and hints of charred cask ends.
Tasty Invergordon that has developed hydrophobia at some point during its life. Fortunately, this is a very approachable example, that mixes well-aged grain with just enough ex-bourbon influence - water isn’t required IMHO. Solid stuff – there’s a reason there’s been a dozen batches and counting.
Review calendar provided by Boutique-y Whisky