1991 Invergordon 26 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky

I used to look at Single Grain like Single Malt light. Great values and solid whiskies, but never with the oomph I was craving until they were 40+ years old. But my views on single grain have been amended in the past few years as I got more experience enjoying the delicate subtleties of our single cask selections. It's one thing to taste a determine that these whiskies valuable and saleable, it's quiet another to sit down and drink a bottle over the course of a few days, weeks or months. I do find that that's what it takes for me to become intimate with a whisky and while it's easy to tell good from bad whisky in a tasting environment, I consider an open bottle in the shelf a long term relationship. Like any relationship it evolves. I've found my relationship with this category evolving as well. While it's undeniable that Single Malt is king, it's really hard to argue that for those who crave a nuanced and long term relationship with their tipple of choice, Single Grain offers a lot of benefits. The first thing about this Invergordon, like many great single grains, is that the first nosing is pleasant and appealing, but never grabs hold of you like a big bold Islay or chewy Highlander. But, if you sit for a while and let the whisky come to you instead of forcing yourself onto what you believe it should be, there's so much more going on there. The easy going flavors of coconut and candied sugar evolve into a timid yet vibrant mixture of dried citrus, wet gravel, agave nectar, honeysuckle and vanilla flower. And despite all the very subtle listless aromas on the nose, the moment this stuff hits your lips, it explodes. Rich, buttery, warm and structured, there's absolutely nothing boring about this! Some of the citrus comes through as well the darker rock tone from the nose. Otherwise, we're moving more toward yellow plums and cream soda. Some cracked pepper and woodsy barrel spice keep it nice and dry, but I'd avoid putting any more than the tiniest drop of water here just to open up the nose. This is esoterica for the masses, opaque, in need of a bit of teasing to open up, but with just the right amount of life to keep you coming back.