Thompson Bros: Inchgower – 2011 (Scottish Speyside Single Malt Whisky: 13 Year: 54.7% ABV)

Visual: Light clear gold. Fast thick streaks from the spirit.

Nose: Sweetly oily. Paraffin oils Peach syrup. Waxy. Lightly juicy meat character. Orange jelly. Hard boiled sweets. Water adds light toffee.

Body: Lemon sherbet. Lime sorbet. Alcohol character rises over time if held. Sweet oiliness. Honeycomb. Water makes a waxy, candle like character. Aubergine. Kiwi. fudge.

Finish:Fudge ice cream syrup. Lemon sorbet. Apricot jelly. Slight salt. Water makes slightly more salty. Waxy. Jelly beans.

Conclusion: This is a lovely whisky that is such a mix of characters! Initially it seemed like a light spirity paraffin character on the nose, which suggests an intense dram, but instead it is backed by sweeter, fruitier and more jelly and jellied sweet notes which I will admit was not my first guess for what was to come!

The body is thick, still with that paraffin style, but matched with a distinct waxiness of body that makes for a very intriguing mouthfeel and fives a lot of grip to deliver the sweetness that all combines to such a different whisky.

It is chewy, big and oily with viscous spirity notes, yet that big whisky is matched with sweet shop air and fruit gentle notes. Combined the two are somehow not a mess and instead a delectable whisky of contrasts.

Even better water definitely helps it come out more and more, and reveals a light saltiness and dryness when heading out into the finish that makes it dangerously drinkable despite the weight.

A great dram.

Background: Yep, second whisky from the Independent Spirit Thompson bros tasting! This is a distillery I have not had much experience with, and my last encounter was not one I was overly excited by, so was interested to see how this would play out. One of 290 bottles so a rare chance to try, and Thompson Bros have generally been very good with one or two exceptions. As well as the usual disclaimer about being at a tasting so not able to do my best notes, also I had serious hayfever before this. However I was dosed up on my antihistamines and drops so seemed to be able to smell and taste reasonably so decided to go ahead with doing notes here.