Inchgower 8-Year-Old Single Cask, Single Malt

Here in the UK, we really are spoiled for choice when it comes to delicious alcoholic beverages. We’ve seen fads and trends over the years, particularly with prosecco and flavoured gins, and the less said about alcopops from the 90s and 2000s the better. One beverage that has withstood the test of time for centuries upon centuries however, is whisky.

Now, we can’t talk about whisky, particularly single malt, without talking about the Scottish Highlands. Scotland’s rich heritage of whisky distilling is incredibly well documented, but what’s even more remarkable is the fact that whisky just keeps getting better and better, and more popular than ever from generation to generation. There are young men, and women too for that matter, who are enjoying whisky just like their grandparents, and we think that’s great.

Sure, we have MMA fighters and other celebrities bringing out their own range of whisky/whiskey to appeal to younger drinkers, but overall, the reason why whisky is timeless is because of the quality. This is more evident than ever when drinking Inchgower’s 8-year-old single cask, single malt.

A Distillery with Stories to Tell

The distillery responsible for the delectable 8-year-old single cask, single malt whisky is the Inchgower distillery, and what a distillery it is.

Constructed way back in 1871 by Alexander Wilson, the distillery is located on the outskirts of Buckie, Moray, Scotland just a stone’s throw away from the River Spey. The distillery, which is now owned by drinks giant Diageo, is one of only a select few in Scotland to have been owned by the local town council. Fortunately, they stepped in in 1936 when the Wilson family, who were experiencing financial difficulties, filed for bankruptcy.

In 1938, for just £3,000, the distillery was purchased by Arthur Bell. The decades ticked by, Bell’s became Guinness, Guinness was purchased by DCL (Distillers Company Limited) and Inchgower then became a part of the Diageo family.

Inchgower produce some exceptional whiskies, including the one we’re looking at today, the 8-year-old single cask, single malt.

Inchgower 8-Year-Old Profile

When we heard about this whisky, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t excited. Inchgower have a reputation for producing exceptional single malt whiskies, and boy, they certainly did not disappoint with this hidden gem.

What got us especially excited about this ‘wee dram’ was the fact that it’s a single cask. Single cask whiskies are the rarest of the rare as they cannot be replicated or repeated. There is no blending with them. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

The Inchgower 8-year-old was distilled back in July 2014 in Ex-Bourbon Hogshead casks, and bottled in July 2022. It is limited to just 269 bottles around the world. The whisky’s pale amber colour is all natural, and there is NO chill filtration.

At 48.2% ABV, she definitely has some bite to her, though not as much as you would expect from a whisky of that ABV.

On the nose, straightaway you get autumn spices, marmalade, bonfire toffee, and charred oak which give way to dried grassy notes.

On the palate vanilla is present right from the get-go, giving way to roasted pine nuts, poached pears, oily malt, and hints of oak.

The finish is long and lingering, leaving you with apple blossom and caramelised honey bouquet which conjures up the suggestion of a fine mead.

Tags: 8 Year OldInchgowerSingle CaskSingle Malt

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.