Inchgower Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Inchgower single malt Scotch whisky is a coastal Speyside malt with a distinctive, slightly maritime style that sets it apart from many of its inland neighbours. Founded in 1871 by Alexander Wilson, the distillery was built to replace the defunct Tochineal Distillery and has stood on the outskirts of Buckie, Moray, ever since. Its location near the mouth of the River Spey, just a short distance from the Moray Firth, gives Inchgower a unique character shaped by both Speyside sweetness and a briny coastal influence.

Inchgower has long been a blending workhorse, particularly valued for its robust spirit, which adds depth and structure to blends. Today, it is a key malt in Bell’s, one of the UK’s best-selling blended Scotch brands, and has been under Diageo ownership for decades. Despite its importance in blending, Inchgower has also gained a quiet following among single malt enthusiasts, especially through independent bottlings.

The distillery draws its water from a burn fed by springs in the nearby Convals, and production uses unpeated malted barley to allow the natural fruitiness and malt character of the spirit to shine. Inchgower’s copper pot stills have a distinctive design: the spirit stills feature upward-angled lyne arms, encouraging heavier reflux and creating a spirit with an oily, nutty quality that stands up well to long maturation.

Most of Inchgower’s spirit is matured in refill American oak casks, preserving the distillery’s natural flavour profile, although sherry casks are occasionally used to add richness and spice. The whisky’s weighty, slightly salty style also makes it a good candidate for wine cask finishes, which independent bottlers sometimes explore.

Official bottlings are rare. The most widely recognised is the Inchgower 14 Year Old in Diageo’s Flora & Fauna series, which captures the distillery’s core character: a balance of fresh orchard fruit, gentle malt sweetness, nutty depth, and a faint coastal salinity. Inchgower has also appeared in limited editions within Diageo’s annual Special Releases.

Independent bottlers such as Gordon & MacPhail, Signatory Vintage, and Hunter Laing regularly release Inchgower, often at cask strength or in single cask form. These expressions can range from zesty, grassy young bottlings to mature, sherried examples with layers of dried fruit, dark chocolate, and spice. Well-aged Inchgower, particularly from the 1980s and early 1990s, is prized for developing tropical fruit notes and a waxy texture, reminiscent of old-school Highland malts.

Flavour-wise, Inchgower is typically medium-bodied, with aromas of green apple, pear, and almond, supported by floral notes and a touch of brine. On the palate, it offers sweet malt, roasted nuts, citrus zest, and a subtle saltiness, leading to a medium to long finish with hints of spice and lingering nuttiness. This combination of Speyside fruitiness and coastal character makes it a distinctive and versatile dram.

Our Inchgower Single Malt Scotch Whisky selection includes the rare official 14 Year Old, along with independent bottlings that showcase the distillery’s complexity and charm. Whether you’re seeking a lesser-known Speyside with a twist or exploring the coastal edge of the region’s flavour spectrum, Inchgower offers a rewarding and characterful choice.