Bottle Details
SMWS Code
18.69
Distillery
Inchgower
ABV
58.4%
Age
15 Years
Cask
Ex-Bourbon Hogshead 2nd Fill Ex-Oloroso Barrique
Distilled
February 12, 2009
Region
Speyside
Flavor Profile
Oily & Coastal
Category
Scotch
The whisky presents briny, peppery notes reminiscent of a mixed seafood soup seasoned with cayenne, alongside savoury elements of jalapenos and salt. After reduction, maritime and coastal aromas emerge, with hints of trawler exhaust, wet wood, and rubber.
On the palate, the whisky evokes the fresh, sweet meat of locally caught crab and lobster, as if tasting a crab sandwich enjoyed at a Scottish harbour. The savoury character continues with chimichurri-like spice and briny shellfish notes.
The finish carries coastal and maritime qualities, with lingering brine and the fading impression of wet rubber and damp wood from the harbour environment.
The Panellists peppered their notes with plenty of food connotations: jalapenos on salty nachos, a chimichurri steak and a mixed shellfish soup containing monkfish, hake, squid, mussels and clams seasoned with cayenne pepper. To taste, we visualised a visit to the Scottish Borders village of St Abbs with its thriving fishing harbour catching lobsters and local edible crabs. Imagine sitting on the harbour wall and eating, what is a must, one of the freshest crab sandwiches one can find. After reduction the wind carried exhaust fumes from the trawlers and wet wood, as well as wet, yellow rubber boots and raincoats. We washed down the crab sandwich with a pickleback. Following 11 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this whisky into a refill toasted French oak barrique.