1966 Adelphi Invergordon 46 Year Old Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The Invergordon Distillery occupies an eighty-acre site on the northern shore of the Cromarty Firth in the northeast Highlands, surrounded by some of the best arable land in Scotland. The place takes its name from an eighteenth-century laird, Sir William Gordon. It is one of the best deep-water harbours in Europe and was an important commercial port and naval base. The distillery was commissioned in 1959 to create employment in the area, following the departure of the Royal Navy.

This ultra rare selection from Adelphi is one of only 257 bottles filled from cask No. 4.

Tasting note: The deep gold, viscous appearance is a pleasure to behold. Layered, thick and profound, heavy aromas of barley sugar, butter menthol and dried coconut mingle with rich cereals as they drift lazily out of the glass. Several minutes later, further inhalations release stewed pear and sweet spices alongside momentary bursts of shellac. Entry is arresting, plush and cream textured and anticipates the gentle behemoth that this whisky is. In spite of its massive demmerara rum-like profile and potent ABV, the balance is nothing short of extraordinary. Old liquorice strap, brown sugar, vanilla and lashings of dried coconut cover the tongue finishing with a remarkable, high pitch molasses / brown sugar crescendo. Old liquorice and dried coconut re emerge late and show profound persistence. It's well into middle age, yet still vibrant enough to imagine that this astonishing cask might have been even better in 5-10 years. It will be beyond the wallet of most whisky enthusiasts, but by world standards this remains a relative bargain. 51.5% Alc./Vol.