Glen Mhor 27yo 1982/2010 Blackadder

The best way to describe Glen Mhor is as an Invernessian experiment to see how well Cairngorms’ peat mixes with Nessie’s bath water. The distillery may have been demolished a long time ago, from time to time bottles still pop up in specialist stores and online auctions. Compared to the other whiskies from Inverness: Glen Albyn and Millburn, a bottle from this distillery wasn’t hard to find.

In 2010 independent bottler Blackadder released not one but two different Glen Mhors in their raw cask range. The 44yo from 1966 got widespread reviews, while the 1982 vintage to this day remains fairly obscure.

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Description: matured in a Bourbon? hogshead (#1232) for 27 years, bottled in 2010 at 47.2% ABV.

Nose: light and floral at first, but a more fruity profile emerges as it gets some time to breath. Say a bouquet of buttered pears with soft subdued notes of cavaillon melon and a touch of vanilla.

Mouth: opens with a fizzing mouth feel, and finally some peaty notes. Though it never comes close to an Islay or Orkney profile, much dirtier and more ash. But make no mistake, this is still a very lightly peated whisky, vegetable and austere on the palate, with notes white pepper and gypsum.

Finish: long herbal finish with bitter oak and notes of vanilla in the tail.

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The Verdict: This was supposed to be Inverness’ take on a peated dram, nevertheless it barely shows. The nose though simple is quite elegant. however once more the taste fades by comparison, unsettling the balance in this dram. Still, it is an original take on a single malt and a style that you won’t find in modern day whiskies. Want to try the Inverness drams? Better spend your money on a Glen Albyn.