Whisky: Invergordon 32 Year (1990), Thompson Brothers

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland Grain

ABV: 51.1%

Cask: Refill Hogshead

Age: 32 years (Distilled 18 April 1990, Bottled April 2022)

Nose: Birthday cake frosting, subtle bubblegum and cotton candy, vanilla, hints of orange, cotton, plywood, starched linens.

Palate: Medium-bodied, creamy, pistachio, orange, birthday cake frosting, vanilla, hints of melon, modeling clay, earth, black pepper, balsa wood.

Finish: Medium to long with creamy vanilla and oak.

Score: 6

Mental Image: Laser Tag Construction Site

Narrative & Notes: The aroma took me right back to mid-1990s Lazer Tag with plywood obstacles, fog machines, and the ever-present sticky sugars from multiple birthday cakes, orange sodas, and sugary delights of all kinds. A subtle bubblegum arrived with cotton candy, vanilla, cotton, lavender perhaps, and the impression of clean starched linens. Medium-bodied, the flavor profile was creamy and crisp with pistachio ice cream, orange syrup, birthday cake frosting, vanilla extract, and hints of melon. A lovely earthiness developed on the back end with modeling clay, black pepper, balsa wood, and sawdust— an artist’s studio. The finish was medium to long, occasionally drying, with creamy vanilla and oak.

Something about this dram reminded me of fog machines, painted black plywood obstacles, and the adrenaline of running around in the dark shooting lasers at friends. The birthday cake vibes from vanilla, pistachio, cotton candy, and the whole host of sweet dessert notes lent themselves further to memories of laser tag birthday parties. Those were the only times we had a chance to run wild in the old laster tag emporium. Do those still exist?

It is difficult for a grain whisky to rise above the pack and differentiate itself. While I have had blessedly few that were horrible, even fewer have ascended to a higher level by means of additional depth and complexity or simply hitting a single immaculate note. I found this Invergordon to be pretty interesting as far as mature single grains go and cost-effective for the age and vintage.

Overall, I am neither a grain advocate nor a grain hater, and I thought this was a solid example of what one might expect from the category. Now excuse me while I don a plastic vest, grip my laser pointer, and head out into the fog.

Image Credit: Whisky Auctioneer