Carn Mor Inchgower 5 Year Old Strictly Limited (70cl, 47.5%)

This is a 5 year old single malt from Inchgower, a coastal Speyside distillery near the fishing port of Buckie. Carn Mor bottled it at 47.5% in a 70cl bottle, with a total worldwide outturn of 910 bottles. Inchgower's new-make is noted for an intense spiciness that is perceived on the tongue as salinity. A hotter second water in a quick mashing regime drives it, and a short fermentation and steeply angled lyne arms help capture weightier elements. The nose is vanilla cake with fresh stone fruits and wet cedar. The palate is hot black pepper and cloves with more vanilla, and the finish is crisp caramel apple and juicy citrus.