Inchgower 2013 Ch7 (Chapter 7 (Ch7))

Built in 1871 near the fishing port of Buckie, Inchgower makes a briny, nutty malt that has long been a backbone of Bell's. Chapter 7 (Ch7) selected this single cask, distilled in 2013, and released it at 10 years old in its A Whisky Anthology - Monologue range. Single cask 31487 gave 192 bottles, released for Europe.

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 a Pedro Ximenez sherry cask.

Bottled at its natural cask strength of 49.8%, without dilution, the PX cask brings dense raisin and molasses sweetness, melanoidins thick against the savoury spirit. At 10 years the wood and the salty, nutty spirit are roughly in balance. The recorded notes run to cocoa, fresh orchard fruit, honey, fresh oak, a nutty note and an oily texture.