So far I have only once ever tried an Inverleven, just over two years ago. It was a Gordon & Macphail bottling, just like the one I will try now. The previous one was a distillate from 1985. This time, we go back a bit, to 1979. If Inverleven does not ring a bell: it was a Lowland distillery, founded in 1938 and closed in 1991.
Dried fruit and flowers, that is what I get on the nose. Loads of grasses, as well. Orange juice! But with an alcoholic edge, obviously. Some dried apricots. A hint of pineapple cubes. This is quite pleasant, even though there is nothing much else going on. A simple but fruity nose.
It is a bit creamy, somewhat prickly and wonderfully sweet with a dark edge. What a pleasant surprise! It is much more than orange juice now. Very creamy in fact. A wonderful bitter touch from grapefruit, some oak and dried fruits. Think pineapple and peach, apricots and even some coconut. Trace of candied ginger. I quite like this!
The finish is ridiculously short. That is a pity.
Admittedly, after my initial encounter with the Inverleven 1985, the expectations were low. But is is actually quite good. What a difference in only 6 years. Unfortunately nowhere to be found now.
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