2x “Amazing Whiskies” from Whic: Glenlivet 12yo & Inchgower 21yo (Review Flight)

The adventure continues … Part two and three of Whic’s colorful Amazing Whiskies series take us to a fabled region called Speyside. There, we first get to explore an outlying place called Inchgower Distillery. It might not be the most well-known and well-frequented spot in the area, but it is home to many a great malt. During this venturesome field trip, we get to savor one such drop, namely a 21 Years Old with a sherry finish. From Inchgower we then move south until we reach the premises of The Glenlivet Distillery. This bustling whisky powerhouse rarely ever rests. It harbors a total of 14 copper stills that produce over ten million liters of new make each year! Among the appreciators of fine drams, the spirit made at The Glenlivet is reputable and esteemed. Our second whisky – a opulently sherried Glenlivet 12 Years Old – underlines why!

by Tobi

Inchgower 21yo “Amazing Whiskies”
(Single Malt Scotch Whisky • Speyside • 59.3% • 186 bottles)

The label of this 21-year-old Inchgower shows a group of aliens looking into something. But what is it they investigate? To be honest, I don’t have a clue. The object of my curiosity, on the other hand, is not a secret. It is part two of the Amazing Whiskies range by Whic. The whisky in question comes from lesser-known Speyside unit Inchgower Distillery. It is lively and vibrant, smelling of vanilla, marzipan, clover, peach and spice. It pleases the tongue with rich flavors of almond cookies, butter creme, lemon zest, maracuja milk and sweet honey. The finish has floral notes followed by bright fruits and sweet pastry. These delish sensations last forever! Should a bottle of Amazing Whiskies No. 2 ever find its way into the hands of an inquiring group of aliens (like the ones on the label), it will certainly help to make them think of humankind as a cultured civilization with excellent taste!

Glenlivet 12yo “Amazing Whiskies”
(Single Malt Scotch Whisky • Speyside • 46% • 388 bottles)

Unlike part one and two of Whic’s Amazing Whiskies line, part three does not come in cask strength. Instead, the sherry-matured Glenlivet 12 Years Old has a palatable ABV of 46 per cent. Still, it brims with flavor and intensity. Its dry and spicy aroma tickles in the nostrils. Scent-wise I make out crumbled chocolate, dark berries, powdered cocoa and rosehip tea as well as dried fruits of differing kinds (cherries, mangoes, raisins). On the palate, the whisky feels medium-weight and a bit oily. It starts almost syrupy, but then it becomes darker quickly. First, there are raisins and wine gums. Later, these notes transcent into dark chocolate, coffee and brambles. The aftertaste remains more on the dark side, too. It is of good length and centers around the berry and raisin notes from before. At this point, they are accompanied by a delicate licorice quality. If I had to pin the whisky down to its most striking attribute, it would be its allure – once this sherried Speysider has you under its influence, you will be as helpless as the explorer depicted on the label (who, for the record, is being manacled by the vines of a giant, flesh-eating plant). Whereas his fate is diresome, yours – as a devotee to this ‘Livet – will be very pleasing!

Inchgower 21yo (Single Malt / Speyside / 21yo / Sherry finish / 59.3% / ~95 Euro)
Glenlivet 12yo (Single Malt / Speyside / 12yo / 1st fill sherry cask / 46% / ~65 Euro)