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    Private Collection 1985 from Inverleven Distillery

    Private Collection 1985 from Inverleven Distillery

    The unique distillation process at this now-silent site produced an aromatic and fruity Lowland dram typified in our Gordon & MacPhail 1985 from Inverleven Distillery. This rare single malt provides a delectable medley of white pepper notes and subtle spicy undertones on the palate, with a long and lingering charred oak finish.

    Welcome to the 'Private Collection'

    Welcome to the 'Private Collection'

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    Nose

    Intense tropical fruit aromas to begin – cooked pineapple, honeydew melon, coconut cream, and little burst of sharp yet sweet lime. A sweet creaminess continues with notes of vanilla ice-cream, sugared red apples, apricot jam, and white chocolate. Hints of overripe cherry and almond marzipan develop into flowering gorse.

    Nose
    Taste

    Creamy and mouth-coating; warming white pepper notes transform into sweet flambéed banana, madagascan vanilla pod, and salted toffee. subtle spicy undertones remain as toasted malt comes to the fore; a drying cocoa and charred oak edge develops.

    Taste
    Finish

    A long and lingering charred oak finish with a subtle floral edge.

    Finish
    Inverleven Distillery

    Inverleven Distillery

    A relatively young distillery, Inverleven Distillery was built in 1938, very close to the Lowland and Highland boundary line on the banks of the River Leven in the town of Dumbarton. Established by Hiram Walker and Sons, Inverleven was originally built as a sister site to the Dumbarton grain distillery. Featuring two copper pot stills, Inverleven was thought to be the first distillery to steam-heat both its wash and low wine stills, as opposed to the regular method of the time - direct fire. In 1956, an unusual Lomond Still, which has three perforated plates that can be cooled independently allowing for different styles of whisky to be produced, was added. The stills at Inverleven unfortunately fell silent in 1991 when the distillery closed before the site was demolished in 2002 but under Gordon & MacPhail’s watchful and nurturing eye, the distillery’s legacy lives on.

    Product information

    Range

    Private Collection

    Region

    Lowlands

    Distillery

    Inverleven

    Status

    Whisky Vault

    Vintage

    1985

    Strength

    57.4%

    Bottled year

    2018

    Colour

    Amber

    Cask Type

    Refill Bourbon Barrel

    Outturn

    130 bottles

    Cask Numbers

    562

    Markets

    UK, Europe, Asia & Oceania

    *Available Markets May Vary
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    Reviews

    89/100

    WhiskyNotes

    A slightly quirky combination: traces of tropical fruits à la Littlemill but also a peculiar waxy side and a floral edge. Unlike other distilleries I would say, always a bonus.

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    86/100

    The Whiskyphiles

    Certainly displays its age and is full of lively and entertaining flavours that I enjoyed very much.

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    88/100

    The Malt Desk

    Love sweet arrival on stewed pears, candies lemons, fresh grass and vanilla. Its then taken over by a little oak, baked and flinty notes but the fruit is ever still present.

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