Invergordon 2009 12 Year (Duncan Taylor)

Most young grain whiskies I wouldn't touch with a barge pole, but this Invergordon matured in sherry octave casks made me curious. On the nose, cinnamon, pastries and milk chocolate intermingle with sultanas, dusty cereal notes and hints of sage. After a sugary arrival, the taste develops with dark fruits, peppery spices and eucalyptus. It is a bit hot around the edges, but packed with flavors. Slightly bitter oak, cocoa and fresh mint linger in the surprisingly long finish. One evening, a poor hornet had drowned in this alluring wasp trap - so it can't be bad. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE