A Terrific Single Barrel with a Big Age Statement to Boot!
1987 Invergordon 31 Year Old “Sovereign” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)
“A real treat for lovers of old complex whisky of any kind.”
—David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer
It’s not often you find a 31-year-old Scotch for under $100, but that’s precisely the beauty of our direct-import spirits program. We track down unique barrels you won’t find anywhere else and offer them at unbeatable prices. This 31-year-old bottling from Invergordon comes to us through the “Sovereign” label and is about as good a single grain as we’ve ever encountered. While the vast majority of Invergordon is destined for blends, occasionally a cask like this one makes its way to the independent bottlers. At 52% a.b.v., it has some power, but like the best single grains, it’s also graceful, subtle, and nuanced. Flavors of caramel, spice cake, coffee, and freshly baked cookies are intertwined with elements of sprightly citrus notes—all to great effect. Everything is so wonderfully balanced and smooth, it’s hard to put the glass down. Based on the quality of the spirit and its very attractive price, this 31 year old is sure to make a lucky few very happy. As with all of our single cask bottlings, there are precious few bottles to go around, and once they are gone, they are gone for good. The moral of the story: you’ll need to act quickly to add this charming dram to your collection.
It’s not every day you can buy a 30+-year-old whisky for $100! As grain ages it takes on incredible mellow richness. They’re known for being good values, but the market has been pushed up thanks to big age statements in recent years. While we love these old grains, we don’t think you should be paying $200 to $300 for them even with these big age statements. Instead, we’ve secured some of the best single grains at the very best prices. Invergordon is a grain distillery situated north of Inverness on the Cormarty Firth. The absolutely massive distillery produces upwards of 40 million liters of pure alcohol per year thanks to their massive column still. Their production of grain whisky is exclusively destined for the blends, but a few odd casks made it out of the blender’s repertoire and into our glasses. Like so many things in whisky, with time comes greatness and these Invergordons are proof that grain has many facets. Only 293 bottles of this beauty exist. It’s bottled at full cask strength without dilution or adulteration of any kind.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 07, 2019
I often talk about how single grain shouldn’t be seen as some type of single malt light or an offshoot of bourbon, but should really be treated as a standalone category judged on its own merits. That’s why we thought it was so important to offer a diverse selection of well-aged grain at reasonable prices. We’ve managed to amass a collection of nearly every active grain distillery (save for Girvan) along with several ghost distilleries all in the $100 to $200 range and absolutely delicious. Anybody who can wrap their brains and palates around the subtle complexities of grain whisky should consider amassing as many of these awesome examples as they can afford, not only for the exquisite learning experience, but simply because we’re not sure when we’ll have this kind of broad access again. Invergordon tends to have a little more herbal and citrus quality than some of its more southerly cousins and this one is no different. Caramel corn, light roast coffee beans, fresh mint, woodsy herbs, and orchard fruit. A bold wild honey cuts through the linear entry and leaves you with a sweet sugar cookie finish. A bit idiosyncratic and proof that all single grain is not just one note, but has potential to offer a range of interesting and unusual flavors. This one might appeal nicely to Highland malt drinkers for its added richness and herbal undertones. A real treat for lovers of old complex whisky of any kind, though.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 15, 2019
While most of the old grain whiskies we bottle are first described as smooth, round, and gentle, this particular cask also has tremendous power. It’s 52% ABV and full of bass tones as well as brown sugar, cask spices, and a noticeable tannin structure. It’s of course amazingly smooth and round after 31 long years in barrel, but the earthy note that undergirds this whisky makes for a grain of unusual complexity as well. With the addition of a little water, the wood spices take a back seat and let the fruit ride shotgun. Winter fruits like apple and orange stand prominently against the backdrop of sweet baking spice. A special single grain for sure.
