Review by: The Muskox

Inchgower is maybe the only distillery that I’ve tried more of than him! This review gives me an unassailable 3-to-2 lead. The other two that I’ve had have been pretty similar in stats to this one – 20 years old, sherried, cask strength. Let’s see how this one measures up.

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Distillery: Inchgower.

Bottler: Maltbarn.

Region: Speyside.

ABV: 50.7%, cask strength.

Age: 20 years old. Distilled in 2000. Bottled in 2020.

Cask type: Sherry Cask.

Color: Light gold. No colour added, un-chillfiltered.

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Nose: Sweet. Loads of cooked fruits – wooden cabinets full of preserves, frutti di bosco, orange sherbet (technically cooked?), and plums. u/TOModera mentions papaya and peach, which I get as well (the peach is in cobbler form for me). Old wood drizzled with honey, French toast drizzled with amber maple syrup (sounds more appetizing than the wood…), and mint chocolate chip ice cream. A bit medicinal-sweet, cough-syrup-y. A tiny tinge of sulfur and salt. There’s a mustiness in here… toasted corn tortillas?

Palate: Medium-thin texture. Fruit and dark dried herbs on the arrival. Cola syrup, candied almonds, candied orange peel, and lots of caramel richness. Rich wood and warming spice on the development – gingerbread, allspice, and some distinguished chap’s old desk. Preserved cherries, stroopwaffel, toffee, and espresso. Toasted nuts. Slightly musty.

Finish: Stickier texture here. Bittersweet and toasty, lots of wood and spice with a hint of fruit. Dark chocolate with some raspberries and preserved cherries. Dark and toasty flavours here. Lingering ginger, sesame seeds, and char.

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Possible SMWS bottling name: “Dean’s office tea and scones”

Notes: Nice stuff! Seems like u/TOModera and I came up with very similar notes, which isn’t always the case between the two of us. The ginger, red berries, and toastiness all line up. So does the papaya –even though I hate papaya! It doesn’t bother me in this context. There’s a richness here, and although it doesn’t really come through in the mouthfeel, it makes for a very satisfying drink.

Final Score: 85.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.