Inchgower 8 Years Old 2008 Cask #807511 (C&S Dram Collection)

Classed by Diageo among its nutty and spicy malts, Inchgower is the Manzanilla of Speyside, its coastal saltiness setting it apart from its floral neighbours. C&S Dram Collection selected this single cask, distilled in 2008, and released it at 8 years old in its Dram Collection range. Single cask 807511 gave 310 bottles, released for Germany.

A quick mashing regime and a warmer second water give Inchgower the savoury, saline character that earns it the Manzanilla of Speyside nickname. This bottling matured in an ex-Bourbon cask.

Bottled at its natural cask strength of 58.5%, without dilution, the refill ex-Bourbon oak works gently, vanillin reading as vanilla and furfural as a faint toasted almond. At under ten years the cask has had only a short time to work, so Inchgower's own salty, waxy spirit still leads. The recorded notes run to citrus, fresh orchard fruit and leafy notes.