Manager's Choice 1993-2009 61.9% - Inchgower

[Willie JJ]

Nose: Well its certainly distinctive. The nose at full strength makes you think of uncooked green vegetables. weird. Floral and minty. The dark red colour suggests that this was a big sherry cask, but there's no sherry aromas at full strength. A little water does little to change it. More water brings the gravy and fruit notes out but the uncooked veg is still there. Still weird.
Palate: Gravy notes and some hints of fruit, but they are really muted. A little tannic and certainly sweet. Slightly nutty. Water opens it and allows the sherry to take control. Bursts of orange and cinammon that certainly perk up the drinker. More water allows a little sulphur to surface. Apart from that the whisky becomes pleasant and orangey.
Finish: plenty going on here. A big burst of peppermint with menthol clearing the tubes. Sour plums in the background. Water brings the fruit into play and it struggles and fails with the menthol. More water brings sugary spikes of fruit.
Comments: I can understand why a (perhaps jaded) tasting panel would pick this, because its certainly different. I don't really identify it with Inchgower though. There's a lot going on but is this the best Inchgower I've ever had? Certainly not in my opinion. I'd still love to have one to play with, but the price is madness.