Inchgower 12 Years Old 2008 Cask #801498 + 801499 (Signatory)

On the Cromarty side of the Moray Firth, Inchgower distils a coastal, savoury malt that has fed Bell's and other Diageo blends for decades. Signatory, the long established Edinburgh independent, selected this single cask, distilled in 2008, and released it at 12 years old in its The Un-Chillfiltered Collection range. Single cask 801498 + 801499 gave 499 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 46%, the refill ex-Bourbon oak works gently, vanillin reading as vanilla and furfural as a faint toasted almond. At 12 years the wood and the salty, nutty spirit are roughly in balance.