Invergordon (single grain) distillery is located in Invergordon and as I have already suggested, it is a single grain as opposed to single malt distillery.

Invergordon was founded in 1961 by Invergordon Distillers Ltd who expanded the distillery two years later in 1963 by installing a second pair of Coffey stills.

1978 Saw further expansion with the installation of a new and larger Coffey still with extra columns.

In 1988 Invergordon was subject to a management buyout and then in 1990 Invergordon was launched as a single grain bottled whisky, rather than just being used as a base for blended whisky.

Whyte & Mackay took over Invergordon in 1993 and are now part of Vijay Mallya's Empire.

My thanks to Teun van Wel for permission to copy & use the distillery photos

General whisky characteristics: Aromatic, light, perfumed, floral

Berry Brothers, Invergordon,  Single Grain, 1971-2009, 48% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Munich Whisky Festival 2010

Colour: Light, sparkling yellow gold

Nose: Extremely aromatic and floral with some perfume, newly sawn wood and just a touch of lavendar. With time, the nose opens even more.

Palate: Initially very creamy and smooth, then spreading right across the palate with a floral explosion which continues on and on and on, then fades suddenly. Whilst this floral explosion encompasses the palate, a rather unique freshness cuts straight through the centre of the palate.

Finish: Long and floral before ending suddenly.

Overall Impression: Marvellous! I love this single grain from Invergordon and that floral explosion with the unique freshness is exactly that; unique.

Bladnoch Forum bottling, Invergordon,  Single Grain, 1971, 35y, 49.5% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Nose: The nose of an olde-worlde sweet shop. Nothing in packaging, just different sweet aromas all muxed-ip together.

Palate: Not quite so creamy as the other grains and certainly not as sweet as my summary of the nose suggests. It is almost a mixture of nuts and wine, with just a little hint of redcurrant and maybe even banana.

Overall Impression: This is quite different again, but I think I like it and want to return to it.