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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'
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.
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.
Finish
A long and lingering charred oak finish with a subtle floral edge.
Inverleven
An unusual – now sadly demolished – distillery, Inverleven was built very close to the Lowland and Highland boundary line on the banks of the River Leven in the town of Dumbarton.
Inverleven is atypical. It was originally built as a sister distillery to the Dumbarton grain distillery. The largest grain distillery of its time, Dumbarton was built in 1938 to supply spirit for the Hiram Walker & Sons popular Ballantine’s blend. The smaller Inverleven malt distillery, built inside the larger grain complex, had a pair of traditional pot stills. This set-up was augmented in 1956 to include an unconventional Lomond still.
Sadly, the distillery was closed in 1991; the entire complex was decommissioned in 2002 and eventually demolished. The Lomond still found a new home on Islay, the Bruichladdich team now use it to distil The Botanist gin.
Product information
Range
Region
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 VaryReviews
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