Whisky: Invergordon 43 Year (1973), The Whisky Agency

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland Grain

ABV: 50.3%

Cask: Barrel

Age: 43 Years (Distilled 1973, Bottled 2017)

Nose: Woody, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, musty peppercorn, black sugar, black sesame paste, hints of vanilla and sarsaparilla, occasionally creamy— with water more so.

Palate: Medium-bodied, woody and drying, vanilla, molasses, brown sugar, herbal tea, caramelized sugars, slightly creamy at times.

Finish: Long and drying with a woody astringency, brown sugar, and vanilla.

Score: 7 (83)

Mental Image: Temple Gift Shop and Soda Bar

Narrative & Notes: Big and woody, the richness and intensity of the brown sugar, molasses, and cinnamon underscored the age of the whisky. Sichuan peppercorns and black sugar cakes lingered further in with lacquered wood and black sesame paste. Vanilla and hints of sarsaparilla shifted proceedings to the soda shop with the occasional hints of something creamy— an old fashioned egg cream perhaps. Medium-bodied on the palate, the flavors were less intense than expected, but generally in line with the aroma. Woody elements were everywhere with vanilla, molasses, brown sugar, and herbal tea— a bit like an oolong milk tea with sweet boba. The finish was long and drying with a woody astringency, brown sugar, and vanilla.

A delightful old grain, the aroma of this whisky was wonderful, with far more depth and complexity than the typical single grain. The flavor profile was simpler than the aroma, and quite woody, though I appreciate the mellow sweetness— it was “not too sweet” in the best kind of way.  The finish was a touch astringent and drying for my taste, though never unpleasantly so. I wish more of the richness and complexity of the aroma carried on to the other elements and that the palate were a bit thicker and more robust.

Overall, a good example of what one can expect from very old grain whiskies: wood dominant and less sweet than their younger brethren. I am a bit shocked this sits at over 90pts on WB with 73 ratings; it is certainly quite good, but it is not quite transcendent.