Inverleven 1985/2023 G&M CC UPPER Cask #563

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 57.9% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

This single-cask bottling preserves a long-matured whisky from the closed Lowland distillery Inverleven. It belongs to The Recollection Series #2 within Gordon & MacPhail’s Connoisseurs Choice range. Distilled in 1985, the single malt matured for 38 years in Refill Bourbon Barrel number 563 and was bottled on 17 February 2023. The bourbon barrel had previously been used to mature whisky.

The cask yielded just 82 bottles at a cask strength of 57.9%. The whisky was neither chill-filtered nor coloured. The 0.7-litre bottle is presented in a wooden box. Its character combines vanilla and light fruit notes with candied violets, mature oak and a spicy finish.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose opens with vanilla pods, moving into crisp apple notes and citrus peel. Honeydew melon is followed by candied violets and mature oak.
• Palate: On the palate, a lively bitter-orange note leads to subtle honeycomb and tart grapefruit. Sweet poached pear unfolds alongside delicate guava notes and black pepper.
• Finish: Tropical fruit lingers on the tongue. The long finish ends on a spicy note.

Distillery/Bottler:

Inverleven stood in Dumbarton on the River Leven, close to the boundary between the Lowlands and Highlands. The malt distillery formed part of the Dumbarton complex, built in 1938, whose grain whisky was destined for the Ballantine’s blend. Inverleven operated two traditional pot stills; a Lomond Still was added in 1956. Production ended in 1991. The entire complex closed in 2002 and was later demolished. The Lomond Still went to Bruichladdich on Islay, where it is used to make The Botanist Gin.

Gordon & MacPhail’s roots lie in a shop on South Street in Elgin that has existed since 1895. The independent bottler focuses not only on selecting mature whiskies, but also on their maturation: the character of the spirit is carefully matched to the cask. Specified cask characteristics include size, stave thickness, toasting and charring. During storage, cask samples are tasted to decide whether the whisky needs more time or is ready for bottling. A collection of earlier samples built up over generations provides a basis for comparison.

George Urquhart established Connoisseurs Choice in 1968. The range includes single-cask and small-batch bottlings from numerous Scottish distilleries, also offering access to whiskies from distilleries that have since closed.

Facts: