Inchgower 15 Years Old 2010 (Buds & Barrels)

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. Buds & Barrels bottled this, distilled in 2010, and released it at 15 years old. The outturn was 24 bottles, released for Belgium.

Inchgower's four stills carry steeply angled lyne arms that hold back the heavier, oilier vapours, part of why the malt comes out nutty, waxy and faintly saline. This bottling matured in a Port cask.

Bottled at its natural cask strength of 49.3%, without dilution, the Port wood adds plum and cherry, with a faint tannic grip and a jammy sweetness. At 15 years the wood and the salty, nutty spirit are roughly in balance.