Hunter Laing Highland Journey Series Blended Malt Whisky

The journey to Islay begins on the ferry from Kennacraig, where the sea air starts to smell properly of seaweed and smoke. Islay Journey is the Laing family's take on exactly that crossing, a bottle built entirely from the island's own distilleries, assembled by the people behind Ardnahoe.

The expert's description

Hunter Laing Islay Journey Series is an Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, composed of malt whisky from several Islay distilleries and bottled at 46%.

The whisky belongs to Hunter Laing & Co.'s Journey Series, a range of regional blended malts in which Islay Journey represents the island's characteristic peated style. Behind the bottle stands Hunter Laing & Co., a family-owned bottler founded in 2013 by Stewart Laing together with his sons Andrew and Scott, and since 2018 also owner of Islay's newest distillery, Ardnahoe. The malt behind Islay Journey has matured in bourbon hogsheads before being married together for this no-age-statement release.

Islay Journey is designed as an accessible introduction to the island's whisky style, with several distilleries contributing to the overall character rather than letting a single signature dominate.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dry smoke, ash and tar settle like a blanket over the aroma, with a touch of salted caramel behind it.

Palate

Robust peat meets sea salt and seaweed, with an oily texture that ties the different distilleries together.

Finish

Medium length and dry, with lingering smoke and a light ashy note that fades like a burnt-out beach fire.

Specifications

Name: Hunter Laing Islay Journey Series
Bottler: Hunter Laing & Co.
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon hogsheads
Edition: Journey Series
EAN no.: 5060354263181

Flavour profile

Smoky · Maritime · Salty · Robust

Did you know?

Hunter Laing & Co. was founded by Stewart Laing, who previously ran sister company Douglas Laing together with his brother; the two split the business in 2013, and Stewart established his own family firm with sons Andrew and Scott.

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Two distilleries, one bottle - Double Distilleries brings together malt from Chichibu and its Scottish partner distillery in a single composition.

Expert Description

Ichiros Malt Double Distilleries Chichibu is a Pure Malt Whisky, bottled at 46%.

Ichiro Akuto, founder of Chichibu Distillery, blends his own Japanese malt here with Scotch single malt whisky from a named partner distillery, creating a more complex, layered profile than a pure Chichibu single malt.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Apple and honey meet a touch of peat and light spiced oak.

Palate

Soft and round with caramel, ripe pears and a fine, tangy edge.

Finish

Medium length, mild and lightly smoky.

Specifications

Name: Ichiros Malt Double Distilleries
Distillery: Chichibu
Region/Country: Saitama, Japan
Type: Pure Malt Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Soft · Round · Sweet · Lightly Smoky

Did You Know?

The Double Distilleries series is Ichiro Akuto's way of showing how Japanese and Scotch malt whisky can complement each other's character without either losing its identity.

See our full range of Chichibu

This release is not just a whisky - it is a collector's item, presented in a handcrafted wooden box that signals the contents are something truly special.

Expert Description

Ichiro's Malt & Grain Japanese Blended Whisky Woodbox Limited Edition 2020 is bottled at 48.5%.

The whisky is composed by Ichiro Akuto of Chichibu Distillery as part of the World Blended concept, uniting malt and grain whisky from several countries. The 2020 Woodbox edition is a particularly limited bottling, presented in an exclusive wooden box that underscores the bottle's status as a collector's item.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, dried fruit and a deep, complex spiciness.

Palate

Full-bodied and layered with caramel, vanilla and dark chocolate.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering oak.

Specifications

Name: Ichiro's Malt & Grain Woodbox Limited Edition 2020
Distillery: Chichibu
Region/Country: Japan (multiple origins)
Type: World Blended Whisky
ABV: 48.5%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Complex · Spicy · Exclusive

Investment Potential

Investment perspective

Woodbox releases from Ichiro Akuto rank among the most exclusive and rare bottles in the Japanese whisky world, and their limited production makes them particularly attractive to serious collectors.

Did You Know?

Ichiro Akuto's wooden boxes are often handcrafted by Japanese artisans using traditional joinery techniques without nails, an aesthetic that mirrors the whisky's careful composition.

See our full range of {'da': 'Chichibu whisky', 'en': 'Chichibu whisky', 'sv': 'Chichibu whisky'}

This blend crosses borders in a way few other whiskies do - malt and grain whisky from several countries brought together in one glass.

Expert Description

Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended Malt Whisky is bottled at 46.5%.

The whisky is composed by Ichiro Akuto of Chichibu Distillery and combines malt whisky from several countries, including Japan, Scotland and Ireland, with grain whisky from the US and Canada. The series is a tribute to whisky's global character and showcases Akuto's ability to blend across traditions.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, apple and a light spiced sweetness.

Palate

Round and complex with caramel, vanilla and a hint of oak.

Finish

Medium length and soft.

Specifications

Name: Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended
Distillery: Chichibu
Region/Country: Japan (multiple origins)
Type: World Blended Malt Whisky
ABV: 46.5%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 3700597306451

Flavour Profile

Round · Complex · Spiced · Soft

Did You Know?

The label features a world map marking the countries of origin for the various whiskies in the blend - a visual tribute to the series' global concept.

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Ichiro Akuto once saved 400 casks from his family's closed distillery by selling them individually as playing cards - today those same cards have become one of Japan's most sought-after whisky universes.

Expert Description

Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky Limited Edition 2018 is a World Blended Whisky from Chichibu Distillery, bottled at 48%.

Behind the bottle is Ichiro Akuto, who founded Chichibu Distillery in 2004 after saving the last casks from his family's former Hanyu Distillery. The Malt & Grain series combines Japanese malt and grain whisky with selected whiskies from several countries, and each vintage is a unique, non-repeatable composition.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey and tropical fruit meet a light smoky core and a touch of spiced oak.

Palate

Full-bodied and complex with caramel, ripe apples and a fine, tangy edge.

Finish

Long and warm, with a last note of dried fruit and smoke.

Specifications

Name: Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky Limited Edition 2018
Distillery: Chichibu
Region/Country: Saitama, Japan
Type: World Blended Whisky
Edition: Limited Edition 2018
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Complex · Full-bodied · Smoky · Sweet

Investment Potential

Medium. Each vintage of Malt & Grain is a one-off composition never repeated, making earlier releases like this one increasingly hard to find.

Did You Know?

When Ichiro Akuto's family distillery Hanyu closed in 2000, he saved the last 400 casks and released them as a series of whiskies named after the 54 cards of a playing deck - a move now regarded as one of modern whisky history's most iconic rescue stories.

See our full range of Chichibu

A less exclusive, but still limited edition of Ichiro Akuto's global blend concept, available without the large wooden box.

Expert Description

Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended Whisky Limited Edition 2020 is bottled at 48%.

The whisky is composed by Ichiro Akuto of Chichibu Distillery as part of the World Blended series, uniting malt and grain whisky from several countries. The 2020 edition is a limited bottling without the Woodbox packaging, but sharing the same basic philosophy of crossing borders in one bottle.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, apple and a light spiced sweetness.

Palate

Round and complex with caramel, vanilla and a hint of oak.

Finish

Medium length and soft.

Specifications

Name: Ichiro's Malt & Grain World Blended Limited Edition 2020
Distillery: Chichibu
Region/Country: Japan (multiple origins)
Type: World Blended Whisky
Vintage: 2020
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Round · Complex · Spiced · Soft

Did You Know?

The World Blended series is one of the few examples in the whisky world where a single whisky maker deliberately blends distillates from several countries in the same bottle.

See our full range of {'da': 'Chichibu whisky', 'en': 'Chichibu whisky', 'sv': 'Chichibu whisky'}

Two of Japan's most acclaimed, hands-on distilleries meet in one cask - a collaboration rarely seen in the whisky world.

Expert Description

Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries 2021 Chichibu X Komagatake is a Blended Malt Japanese Whisky, bottled at 53.5%.

The whisky combines malt whisky from Ichiro Akuto's Chichibu Distillery with whisky from Mars Komagatake Distillery, run by Hombo Shuzo in the Japanese Alps. Collaborations between independent Japanese distilleries are rare, making this Double Distilleries release something special within the Japanese whisky world.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Toasted oak, dried fruit and a light mineral note from the mountain air.

Palate

Complex with spice, caramel and ripe pears.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering oak.

Specifications

Name: Ichiro's Malt Double Distilleries Chichibu X Komagatake
Distilleries: Chichibu & Komagatake
Region/Country: Saitama & Nagano, Japan
Type: Blended Malt Japanese Whisky
ABV: 53.5%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 4580617290170

Flavour Profile

Complex · Spicy · Full-bodied · Warm

Investment Potential

Investment perspective

Collaboration bottles between independent Japanese distilleries are rare and typically produced in very limited quantities, making them sought-after among collectors shortly after release.

Did You Know?

Mars Komagatake Distillery sits 798 metres above sea level in the Japanese Alps, making it one of the highest-altitude whisky distilleries in the world.

See our full range of {'da': 'Chichibu whisky', 'en': 'Chichibu whisky', 'sv': 'Chichibu whisky'} — See our full range of {'da': 'Mars whisky', 'en': 'Mars whisky', 'sv': 'Mars whisky'}

The name "On The Way" captures the essence of Chichibu Distillery - a distillery still on its journey of development, yet already internationally acclaimed.

Expert Description

Ichiro's Malt On The Way 2019 is a Single Malt Japanese Whisky from Chichibu Distillery, bottled at 51.5%.

The whisky was distilled in 2019 at Chichibu Distillery, founded by Ichiro Akuto in 2008 in Saitama prefecture. The On The Way series is an ongoing release showing the distillery's development year by year, as the casks mature and the character takes shape.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh oak, honey and a light citrus note.

Palate

Full-bodied with spice, caramel and ripe pears.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering oak.

Specifications

Name: Ichiro's Malt On The Way 2019
Distillery: Chichibu
Region/Country: Saitama, Japan
Type: Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Vintage: 2019
ABV: 51.5%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Spicy · Fruity · Warm

Investment Potential

Investment perspective

Bottles from Ichiro Akuto's Chichibu Distillery are among the most sought-after in the Japanese whisky market, and vintage releases like the On The Way series typically rise in value shortly after release.

Did You Know?

In his early years, Ichiro Akuto used some of his own inherited whisky stock from the closed Hanyu Distillery to help fund the launch of Chichibu, before the distillery began producing its own spirit.

See our full range of {'da': 'Chichibu whisky', 'en': 'Chichibu whisky', 'sv': 'Chichibu whisky'}

Five years after the distillery's 2019 release in the same series, this 2024 bottling shows how far Chichibu has come in its maturation and development.

Expert Description

Ichiro's Malt On The Way 2024 is a Single Malt Japanese Whisky from Chichibu Distillery, bottled at 54.5%.

The whisky is part of the ongoing On The Way series, showing Chichibu Distillery's development year by year since its founding in 2008. The 2024 edition draws on more mature cask stocks than previous vintages, showing a deeper, more complex character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Toasted oak, dried fruit and a light spiced sweetness.

Palate

Full-bodied with caramel, spice and ripe pears.

Finish

Long and warm with lingering oak.

Specifications

Name: Ichiro's Malt On The Way 2024
Distillery: Chichibu
Region/Country: Saitama, Japan
Type: Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Vintage: 2024
ABV: 54.5%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 4580617290729

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Spicy · Mature · Warm

Investment Potential

Investment perspective

Chichibu bottles remain among the most sought-after in the Japanese whisky market, and each new vintage in the On The Way series typically sells out quickly.

Did You Know?

The On The Way series was originally conceived as a way to keep whisky enthusiasts updated on the distillery's progress while the first bottles of sufficient age awaited release.

See our full range of {'da': 'Chichibu whisky', 'en': 'Chichibu whisky', 'sv': 'Chichibu whisky'}

Wine casks are a rare ingredient in Japanese whisky, but Ichiro Akuto has made them his trademark with the Wine Wood Reserve series.

Expert Description

Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve 36 is a Pure Malt Japanese Whisky from Chichibu Distillery, bottled at 46%.

The Wine Wood Reserve series is composed of malt whisky finished in wine casks, a technique Ichiro Akuto has experimented with since Chichibu Distillery opened in 2008. The series is numbered, and "36" refers to this specific batch in the ongoing production.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Red berries, grapes and a light, sweet oak.

Palate

Full-bodied with stewed fruit, spice and a hint of tannin.

Finish

Long and wine-like with warm oak.

Specifications

Name: Ichiro's Malt Wine Wood Reserve 36
Distillery: Chichibu
Region/Country: Saitama, Japan
Type: Pure Malt Japanese Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 3700597306901

Flavour Profile

Full-bodied · Wine-like · Fruity · Spicy

Did You Know?

The labels in the Ichiro's Malt series feature playing cards, a reference to Ichiro Akuto's "Card Series," which cemented his international reputation as a whisky maker.

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"Ileach" simply means "a person from Islay" in Gaelic, and the name is the whole point: a whisky that isn't meant to represent one particular distillery, but the character of the island itself. Behind it stands a distillery kept deliberately secret, while the peat does all the talking.

The expert's description

Ileach Peaty Single Islay Malt Whisky is a Single Islay Malt Whisky from an unnamed distillery, matured in oak casks and bottled at 40%.

The whisky is bottled by The Vintage Malt Whisky Company, an independent bottler founded in 1992 by Brian Crook, who is also behind brands such as Finlaggan and Islay Storm. Which distillery supplies the spirit for Ileach has never been officially confirmed, giving rise to countless guesses among whisky enthusiasts over the years, but without an age statement or a named source, the bottle lives entirely on its own flavour.

The style is classic Islay: robust, peaty and maritime, without sacrificing a certain softness that makes it an easy whisky to return to as an everyday dram.

Tasting notes

Nose

Smoke, ash and a light medicinal note meet sea salt and seaweed, with a touch of soft vanilla in the background.

Palate

Oily and robust, with peat, brine and a hint of citrus that cuts through the heavy smoke.

Finish

Medium length, dry and lightly spiced, with a persistent ashy sensation reminiscent of a beach fire just put out.

Specifications

Name: Ileach Peaty Single Islay Malt Whisky
Bottler: The Vintage Malt Whisky Company
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5024720700007

Flavour profile

Smoky · Maritime · Salty · Robust

Did you know?

The name Ileach is pronounced "ee-lakh" and is used locally on Islay to describe a person born and raised on the island; an honorary term that the whisky has borrowed to signal its belonging to the place rather than to any single distillery.

See our full range of The Ileach

Not every great dram carries a famous name on the label — Imperial is proof that quiet distilleries can still produce remarkable whisky. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Imperial 15 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky and bottled at 46%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Green apple, vanilla and a gentle grassy note.

Palate

Malt sweetness, citrus and a touch of oak spice.

Finish

Soft and rounded with a final malty note.

Specifications

Name: Imperial 15 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46%
Distillery: Imperial
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Spiced

Investment Potential

High. Imperial distillery is closed and demolished, which makes any distillery bottling increasingly hard to find, and prices for closed Speyside distilleries have generally shown a marked rise in value over time.

Did you know?

Imperial took its name from Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, as the distillery was built during the same period the British Empire celebrated her reign.

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In a region crowded with famous names, Imperial has quietly gone about its business for generations. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Imperial 1995/2014 The Ultimate 19 Year Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 46% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured on hogshead, fad nr. 50168 and bottled at 46%.

This bottling comes from The Ultimate, released as part of the Rare Reserve range.

The whisky was distilled in 21 August 1995 and bottled in 8 December 2014.

Only 319 bottles were produced from this cask, making it a limited release for collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Green apple, vanilla and a gentle grassy note.

Palate

Malt sweetness, citrus and a touch of oak spice.

Finish

Soft and rounded with a final malty note.

Specifications

Name: Imperial 1995/2014 The Ultimate 19 Year Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 46%
Distillery: Imperial
Bottler: The Ultimate
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 19 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Hogshead, fad nr. 50168
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 21 August 1995
Bottled: 8 December 2014
Number of bottles: 319
Edition: Rare Reserve

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Spiced

Investment Potential

High. As a bottling from a demolished distillery, with a limited run of 319 bottles, this is a type of Imperial release that keeps becoming rarer to find on the market.

Did you know?

The Ultimate Whisky Company focuses specifically on bottlings from recently closed or demolished Scottish distilleries, and Imperial is one of the names most represented in their range.

See our full range of Imperial

Some whiskies shout their pedigree from the label. This one from Imperial prefers to let the liquid do the talking. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Imperial 1996/2023 Adelphi Limited 27 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky 52,4% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured on refill Bourbon Barrel, fad nr. 3411 and bottled at 52,4%.

This bottling comes from Adelphi, released as part of the Adelphi Limited range.

The whisky was distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2023.

Only 187 bottles were produced from this cask, making it a limited release for collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft toffee, pear and a light floral note.

Palate

Soft toffee, lemon and a mellow oak.

Finish

Medium length, clean and gently spiced.

Specifications

Name: Imperial 1996/2023 Adelphi Limited 27 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky 52,4%
Distillery: Imperial
Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 27 years
ABV: 52,4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill Bourbon Barrel, fad nr. 3411
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 1996
Bottled: 2023
Number of bottles: 187
Edition: Adelphi Limited
EAN no.: 5060383653489

Flavour Profile

Smooth · Spiced

Investment Potential

High. 27-year-old single cask bottlings from the closed Imperial distillery are highly sought after by collectors, and the run of just 187 bottles makes this edition hard to come by again.

Did you know?

Adelphi typically rejects around 24 out of every 25 casks it tastes, only bottling under its own name the ones that pass a very strict test.

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Inchfad is the least known of Loch Lomond's island-named styles – but once an independent bottler like That Boutique-y Whisky Company gets hold of it, it becomes hard to ignore.

Expert's Description

Inchfad (Loch Lomond) 2018 That Boutique-y Whisky Company 13 Year Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in oak casks and bottled at 49.5%.

The whisky is distilled at Loch Lomond under the Inchfad profile – one of the distillery's three island-named, peated styles – and after 13 years in cask was selected and bottled by British independent bottler That Boutique-y Whisky Company in 2018. Batch 1 of this release totalled 2,473 bottles.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Nutty malt with earthy smoke and a hint of cigar box.

Palate

Light fruitiness of green apple and apricot meets sweet sultana and white grape, while the peat stays firmly present.

Finish

Long, smoky finish with lingering peat and a sweet aftertaste of dried fruit.

Specifications

Name: Inchfad (Loch Lomond) 2018 13 Year Old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Bottler: That Boutique-y Whisky Company
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 49.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak casks
Bottled: 2018
Serving suggestion: Neat or with a few drops of water

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Peated · Nutty · Fruity

Investment Potential

Low to medium – That Boutique-y Whisky Company releases in clearly defined batches, and Inchfad is one of the rarer Loch Lomond marques to find as an independent bottling.

Did You Know?

Inchfad is one of three "Inch"-named styles from Loch Lomond – all named after islands in the loch on which the distillery sits.

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Somewhere between the wash still and the warehouse, Inchgower built a reputation few casual drinkers ever hear about. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Inchgower 14 Year Flora & Fauna Single Speyside Malt Whisky 43% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky and bottled at 43%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, barley and a soft citrus lift.

Palate

Soft vanilla, malt and light spice.

Finish

Medium length, clean and lightly spiced.

Specifications

Name: Inchgower 14 Year Flora & Fauna Single Speyside Malt Whisky 43%
Distillery: Inchgower
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Flora & Fauna
EAN no.: 5000281024387

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Spiced

Did you know?

Inchgower was built in 1871 using stone salvaged from the closed Tochineal distillery a few kilometres away, so part of its foundation literally comes from its predecessor.

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Not every great dram carries a famous name on the label — Inchgower is proof that quiet distilleries can still produce remarkable whisky. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Inchgower 2007/2018 Signatory 10 Year Single Highland Malt 46% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured on hogshead #801153 og #801154 and bottled at 46%.

This bottling comes from Signatory Vintage.

The whisky was distilled in 30 August 2007 and bottled in 27 February 2018.

Only 602 bottles were produced from this cask, making it a limited release for collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Green apple, vanilla and a gentle grassy note.

Palate

Malt sweetness, citrus and a touch of oak spice.

Finish

Soft and rounded with a final malty note.

Specifications

Name: Inchgower 2007/2018 Signatory 10 Year Single Highland Malt 46%
Distillery: Inchgower
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Hogshead #801153 og #801154
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 30 August 2007
Bottled: 27 February 2018
Number of bottles: 602
EAN no.: 5021944096787

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Spiced

Did you know?

Inchgower is one of the few Scottish distilleries that historically used Morton's Refrigerator plates to cool the wort, a technique most other distilleries phased out decades ago.

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In a region crowded with famous names, Inchgower has quietly gone about its business for generations. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Inchgower 2007/2020 Adelphi Selection 12 Year Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 55,8% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured on refill Sherry Hogshead, fad nr. 801246 and bottled at 55,8%.

This bottling comes from Adelphi Selection, released as part of the Adelphi Selection range.

The whisky was distilled in 2007 and bottled in 2020.

Only 561 bottles were produced from this cask, making it a limited release for collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried raisins, toasted almonds and a rich sherry sweetness.

Palate

Toffee, dark fruit and a layer of warming spice.

Finish

Rich and sweet with a slow fade of dark fruit.

Specifications

Name: Inchgower 2007/2020 Adelphi Selection 12 Year Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 55,8%
Distillery: Inchgower
Bottler: Adelphi Selection
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 55,8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill Sherry Hogshead, fad nr. 801246
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2007
Bottled: 2020
Number of bottles: 561
Edition: Adelphi Selection

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium. Adelphi Selection's very low approval rate and the limited run of 561 bottles make this Inchgower bottling sought after among collectors of independent cask-strength releases.

Did you know?

Inchgower was originally built to replace Tochineal distillery, which closed in 1870 after supplying the Buckie area with whisky since 1824.

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Some whiskies shout their pedigree from the label. This one from Inchgower prefers to let the liquid do the talking. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Inchgower 2008 The First Edition 10 Year Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky and bottled at 46%.

This bottling comes from The First Edition, released as part of the The First Edition range.

The whisky was distilled in 2008.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, barley and a soft citrus lift.

Palate

Soft vanilla, malt and light spice.

Finish

Medium length, clean and lightly spiced.

Specifications

Name: Inchgower 2008 The First Edition 10 Year Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46%
Distillery: Inchgower
Bottler: The First Edition
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2008
Edition: The First Edition

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Spiced

Did you know?

Hunter Laing, the family behind The First Edition, was established in 2013 but carries on a whisky tradition going back to Stewart Laing's father and grandfather in the Scotch trade.

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Somewhere between the wash still and the warehouse, Inchgower built a reputation few casual drinkers ever hear about. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Inchgower 2008/2022 The Un-Chillfiltered Collection Signatory Vintage 13 Year Single Speyside Malt Whisky 46% is a Speyside Single Malt Whisky matured on hogshead and bottled at 46%.

This bottling comes from Signatory Vintage, released as part of the The Un-Chillfiltered Collection range.

The whisky was distilled in 18 February 2008 and bottled in 7 January 2022.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Green apple, vanilla and a gentle grassy note.

Palate

Malt sweetness, citrus and a touch of oak spice.

Finish

Soft and rounded with a final malty note.

Specifications

Name: Inchgower 2008/2022 The Un-Chillfiltered Collection Signatory Vintage 13 Year Single Speyside Malt Whisky 46%
Distillery: Inchgower
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Whisky
Age: 13 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Hogshead
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 18 February 2008
Bottled: 7 January 2022
Edition: The Un-Chillfiltered Collection
EAN no.: 5021944113880

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Spiced

Did you know?

Inchgower's older cooling system once relied on seawater in the condensers, giving the spirit a faintly salty character that can still be traced in many of the distillery's releases.

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Not every great dram carries a famous name on the label — Inchgower is proof that quiet distilleries can still produce remarkable whisky. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Inchgower 2010/2023 Adelphi Selection 12 Year Palo Cortado Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky 57,4% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured on first fill Palo Cortado Sherry Butt, fad nr. 809889 and bottled at 57,4%.

This bottling comes from Adelphi Selection, released as part of the Adelphi Selection range.

The whisky was distilled in 2010 and bottled in 2023.

Only 512 bottles were produced from this cask, making it a limited release for collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried raisins, toasted almonds and a rich sherry sweetness.

Palate

Toffee, dark fruit and a layer of warming spice.

Finish

Rich and sweet with a slow fade of dark fruit.

Specifications

Name: Inchgower 2010/2023 Adelphi Selection 12 Year Palo Cortado Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky 57,4%
Distillery: Inchgower
Bottler: Adelphi Selection
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 57,4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First fill Palo Cortado Sherry Butt, fad nr. 809889
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2010
Bottled: 2023
Number of bottles: 512
Edition: Adelphi Selection

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium. Palo Cortado casks are rarely used for whisky, and the combination of that rare sherry style with a run of only 512 bottles makes this Inchgower a sought-after single cask release.

Did you know?

Palo Cortado is the rarest of all sherry styles, because it begins its life ageing as a Fino before unexpectedly developing a character that leads the cellar master to reclassify it as an Oloroso.

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In a region crowded with famous names, Inchgower has quietly gone about its business for generations. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Inchgower 2010/2025 Adelphi Selection 14 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky 57,7% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured on first fill Palo Cortado Sherry Butt, fad nr. 809891 and bottled at 57,7%.

This bottling comes from Adelphi Selection, released as part of the Adelphi Selection range.

The whisky was distilled in 2010 and bottled in 2025.

Only 542 bottles were produced from this cask, making it a limited release for collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dried raisins, toasted almonds and a rich sherry sweetness.

Palate

Toffee, dark fruit and a layer of warming spice.

Finish

Rich and sweet with a slow fade of dark fruit.

Specifications

Name: Inchgower 2010/2025 Adelphi Selection 14 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky 57,7%
Distillery: Inchgower
Bottler: Adelphi Selection
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 57,7%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First fill Palo Cortado Sherry Butt, fad nr. 809891
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2010
Bottled: 2025
Number of bottles: 542
Edition: Adelphi Selection
EAN no.: 5060383654394

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium. Two extra years on the rare Palo Cortado cask have produced an even deeper and more powerful whisky, and with only 542 bottles produced it is attractive to collectors of Adelphi's Inchgower series.

Did you know?

Adelphi owns its own working distillery, Ardnamurchan, the most westerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, where the same uncompromising philosophy is carried into production.

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Some whiskies shout their pedigree from the label. This one from Inchgower prefers to let the liquid do the talking. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Inchgower 2012 Hepburns Choice 10 Year Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46% is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky and bottled at 46%.

This bottling comes from Hepburn's Choice, released as part of the Hepburn's Choice range.

The whisky was distilled in 2012.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Honey, barley and a soft citrus lift.

Palate

Soft vanilla, malt and light spice.

Finish

Medium length, clean and lightly spiced.

Specifications

Name: Inchgower 2012 Hepburns Choice 10 Year Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46%
Distillery: Inchgower
Bottler: Hepburn's Choice
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2012
Edition: Hepburn's Choice

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Spiced

Did you know?

William Hepburn, after whom this range is named, worked in the Glasgow whisky trade for more than 50 years and taught his grandson Stewart Laing the craft from the ground up.

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Somewhere between the wash still and the warehouse, Inchgower built a reputation few casual drinkers ever hear about. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Inchgower 21 Year Valinch & Mallet Single Speyside Malt Whisky 52,8% is a Speyside Single Malt Whisky matured on bourbon Hogshead nr. 18-2102 and bottled at 52,8%.

This bottling comes from Valinch & Mallet, released as part of the Hidden Casks Collection range.

The whisky was distilled in 1997 and bottled in 2018.

Only 143 bottles were produced from this cask, making it a limited release for collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Custard, malt and a hint of citrus zest.

Palate

Creamy vanilla, oak spice and ripe orchard fruit.

Finish

Warm and rounded with a final vanilla note.

Specifications

Name: Inchgower 21 Year Valinch & Mallet Single Speyside Malt Whisky 52,8%
Distillery: Inchgower
Bottler: Valinch & Mallet
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Whisky
Age: 21 years
ABV: 52,8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon Hogshead nr. 18-2102
Distilled: 1997
Bottled: 2018
Number of bottles: 143
Edition: Hidden Casks Collection

Flavour Profile

Smooth · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium. 21 years of maturation is unusual for Inchgower, and the small run of 143 bottles from a single bourbon cask makes this edition difficult to find again once sold out.

Did you know?

Most of Inchgower's output still goes into blends such as Bell's, which makes any single cask bottling like this one a rare chance to meet the spirit on its own.

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Not every great dram carries a famous name on the label — Inchgower is proof that quiet distilleries can still produce remarkable whisky. This particular release from Speyside shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Inchgower 23 Year The Chess Malt Collection B1 Single Speyside Malt Whisky 57,5% is a Speyside Single Malt Whisky matured on hogshead Refill and bottled at 57,5%.

This bottling comes from The Chess Malt Collection, released as part of the The Chess Malt Collection B1 range.

The whisky was distilled in November 1998 and bottled in May 2022.

Only 206 bottles were produced from this cask, making it a limited release for collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh malt, orchard fruit and a light floral note.

Palate

Honey, pear and a mellow barley character.

Finish

Crisp and drying with a gentle spice.

Specifications

Name: Inchgower 23 Year The Chess Malt Collection B1 Single Speyside Malt Whisky 57,5%
Distillery: Inchgower
Bottler: The Chess Malt Collection
Region/Country: Speyside
Type: Speyside Single Malt Whisky
Age: 23 years
ABV: 57,5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Hogshead Refill
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: November 1998
Bottled: May 2022
Number of bottles: 206
Edition: The Chess Malt Collection B1

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium. 23 years is unusually long for Inchgower, and a run of 206 bottles from The Chess Malt Collection makes the bottle interesting to collectors of themed series.

Did you know?

The Chess Malt Collection mirrors an actual chessboard exactly: two kings, two queens, four bishops, four knights, four rooks and sixteen pawns, each in a black or white bottling.

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There's peat, and then there's Inchmoan – Loch Lomond's answer to what happens when the distillery's usual fruitiness meets 50 ppm of smoke. The result isn't a copy of Islay, but its own earthy take on peated whisky.

Expert's Description

Inchmoan 12 Year Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in oak casks and bottled at 46%.

The whisky is distilled from peated malt measured at around 50 ppm and represents the distillery's smoky, earthy style – softer and less medicinal than a typical Islay malt. After 12 years in cask the whisky is non-chill filtered, preserving its full, oily body.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Mint leaf and charred wood meet dark caramel, dried apple, heather honey and a gentle, slightly medicinal peat.

Palate

Spicy with black pepper and cinnamon, balanced by layers of toffee, drying oak and an earthy, damp moss note.

Finish

Long finish of sweet fruit, green grass, black pepper and a touch of citrus.

Specifications

Name: Inchmoan 12 Year Old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
EAN: 5016840155300
Serving suggestion: In a tulip glass, ideally with a few drops of water

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Peated · Fruity · Spiced

Did You Know?

Inchmoan is named after a small island in Loch Lomond whose Gaelic name refers to peat – a fitting nod to the whisky's smoky character.

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Loch Lomond has its own depths, and the independent series WhiskyHeroes plays right into that with this Inchmurrin release. "Deep Creatures Of The Lake" is the name – cask strength and a single bourbon barrel are the substance.

Expert's Description

Inchmurrin 10 Year Old Deep Creatures Of The Lake is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a first-fill bourbon cask and bottled at 58.1%.

The whisky is distilled under the Inchmurrin profile at Loch Lomond and spent 10 years in a single first-fill bourbon cask, before being selected and bottled by the independent series WhiskyHeroes from Brave New Spirits as part of the series' first release. Only 425 bottles were filled from this one cask.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Full vanilla and ripe pear, with a light honeyed sweetness and a touch of oak.

Palate

Powerful and fruity with peach, apple and creamy caramel, carried by the high cask strength.

Finish

Long, warming finish with lingering fruit and a spiced close.

Specifications

Name: Inchmurrin 10 Year Old Deep Creatures Of The Lake Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Bottler: WhiskyHeroes
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 58.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First-fill bourbon cask
Number of bottles: 425
Serving suggestion: Neat or with a few drops of water to tame the cask strength

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Full-bodied · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium – as a single-cask, cask-strength release from WhiskyHeroes' first series, with only 425 bottles, it is already sought after among collectors of independent bottlings.

Did You Know?

WhiskyHeroes won a gold medal at the Global Scotch Whisky Masters for its first series of releases, of which this Inchmurrin expression was part.

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There is an Inchmurrin for every taste – the 10-year-old is the one that stays closest to the distillery's raw, fruity base character, without the extra years that later soften the top notes.

Expert's Description

Inchmurrin 10 Year Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American oak and bottled at 40%.

Inchmurrin is distilled on Loch Lomond's straight neck pot stills, which help create the distillate's pronounced fruitiness, reinforced by an unusually long fermentation. At 10 years, the whisky is fresher and more directly fruity than the older expressions of the same style.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Pear and red apples with a light honeyed sweetness and a touch of freshly cut grass.

Palate

Juicy fruit of peach and apple meets creamy vanilla and a delicate peppery spice.

Finish

Medium finish with lingering fruit and a drying, lightly peppery close.

Specifications

Name: Inchmurrin 10 Year Old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak
Distillation method: Straight neck pot stills
Serving suggestion: In a tulip glass, ideally with a few drops of water

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Smooth · Fresh

Did You Know?

Inchmurrin is named after the largest island in Loch Lomond, where the ruins of an old monastery can still be visited today.

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Straight neck stills sound like something for technical nerds, but the result is anything but dull. Inchmurrin 12 Year Old is a fruit salad in glass form – peach, apple and pear meeting dark chocolate and exotic spice.

Expert's Description

Inchmurrin 12 Year Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American oak and bottled at 46%.

The whisky is distilled on Loch Lomond's distinctive straight neck pot stills, which help give Inchmurrin its pronounced fruitiness. After 12 years in a combination of ex-bourbon, refill and re-charred American oak casks, the whisky comes across as a lively, sweet and versatile dram.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Pear, red apples and ripe blueberries with cereal, allspice, ginger and pepper in the background, balanced by a sweet toffee tone.

Palate

Peach, red apples and pears create a juicy fruit salad, while grapefruit gives a zesty edge to creamy fudge and vanilla.

Finish

Medium length finish with fruity sweetness, drying oak and a peppery close.

Specifications

Name: Inchmurrin 12 Year Old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak (ex-bourbon, refill and re-charred)
Distillation method: Straight neck pot stills
EAN: 5016840155218
Serving suggestion: In a tulip glass, ideally with a few drops of water

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Creamy · Spiced

Did You Know?

Inchmurrin's high fruitiness comes from both the straight neck still distillation and an unusually long fermentation time – a combination unique to Loch Lomond.

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