1997 Signatory Vintage Inchgower 23 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

A fascinating Inchgower with a serious age statement - matured in Bourbon hogsheads (as is usually the case), followed by a stint in fresh sherry butts for 34 months. A little sherry should ramp this up and give it a style approximating certain West Coast distillates (think Springbank). 59.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 690 bottles. Very limited stocks.

Known as the "Manzanilla of Speyside" it's one of Diageo’s workhorses, quietly producing a nutty, briny spirit that's a key part of Bell’s blends. Refill American oak hogsheads are preferred as they retain all of the waxy granny smith character of the distillate, which is typically dry and savoury. Diageo releases have been pretty much the only generally available bottlings from Inchgower, which is otherwise marketed by independents. It's been said that less than one percent of the total production is bottled as a single malt, so examples of this ilk are a rare treat indeed.