Fragrant Drops Invergordon 1974 Cask #1 & Fragrant Drops Strathclyde 1994 Cask #455300

Fragrant Drops Invergordon 1974 Cask #1

Region: Highlands

ABV: 46.8%

Price: £250.00

This bottling was distilled on 28th November 1974 and bottled on 11th February 2025, following a finishing period in a fresh bourbon barrel. A total of 146 bottles were released.

Nose

The nose opens with a real deep, rich, bourbon-heavy aroma, we're finding toasted coconut flakes, freshly grated nutmeg, warm sponge cake with a little ginger syrup, dark brown sugar, roasted nuts and blackcurrant cordial. It's a very expressive nose, very well balanced, only a hint of spice but the aromas jump out of the glass. Time and air brings out brandy snaps, cocoa powder, almond marzipan and bourbon biscuits.

Palate

The palate opens with lots of caramel, toffee, hazelnut spread, brandy snaps and ginger biscuits. There's a light spice akin to freshly cracked black pepper, but this balances out some of the sweeter, richer flavours. We're also finding some cherry Bakewell tart flavours as the dram starts to develop, and more dried fruits begin to appear. The mouthfeel has a good texture, it coats the palate nicely, and the finish lingers for a long time with sweet vanilla cream, toffee bon bons and a little clove spice. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has more of a nutty aroma coming through at first, the hazelnuts and almonds are front and centre. Alongside these we're still getting the sweet sponge cake and the ginger too. Water feels like it's brought out a slightly richer profile, however it feels a little less interesting than before.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has more of a dark chocolate, cocoa and biscuit-forward palate, moving into something a little fresher, lighter, fruitier as the palate developers. There's almost a sherbetiness that comes through for us now. The mouthfeel and finish are broadly similar to the unreduced palate. 

Conclusion

The 1st fill bourbon finish has given a real lift to this whisky, It's integrated with the well-aged spirit to produce something quite beautiful. It maintains a strong, rich flavour and aroma at the 46% ABV that you only get when a whisky is left to slumber for decades. It's a pleasure to be able to try something (considerably) older than us, and we're pleased to say it's a cracker of a dram.

Score: 9/10

Value

£250 is a significant outlay, but there’s no doubt you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck here.

Fragrant Drops Strathclyde 1994 Cask #455300

Region: Lowlands

ABV: 45.1%

Price: £94.95

This bottling was distilled on 11th November 1994 and matured in a refill bourbon barrel before being bottled on 2nd February 2024. A total of 192 bottles were released.

Nose

The nose opens with banana bread, lots of vanilla essence, whipped cream, white chocolate mice, custard cream biscuits, a little cocoa butter and some light peach aromas. It's got a classic single grain nose, and is well integrated with the alcohol only slightly noticeable as you get deeper into the glass. Going back, we're getting lots of lime zest and leaf, along with a little bit of nail varnish remover. There's also a brown sugar sweetness, slightly toasted, coming through after some air.

Palate

The palate opens with lots of citrus, lemons and limes galore, moving into some light fudge and caramel flavours, finishing on vanilla bean custard and some freshly fried doughnuts. As the finish progresses, we're finding more of the grain spirit appearing, that varnish flavour, but juxtaposed with some white caster sugar sweetness. The mouthfeel is good, there's some sugar syrup-like texture here, and the finish does linger on for a decent amount of time. The alcohol is also in good balance, not overly spicy, but perhaps some of the industrial alcohol-led flavours appear later on the palate.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose stays true to the spirit, lots of the same vanilla, cream, white chocolate alongside some coconut which is starting to make an appearance. There's a slight mustiness that's also appearing, but it hasn't changed dramatically.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate loses a bit of mouthfeel, but we're still greeted by all of the fresh citrus up front and the fudgy sweetness as the palate develops. The finish feels a little spicier, more oak coming through, but that covers some of the harsher grain spirit notes. Water doesn't hurt the dram too much, but it's at good drinking strength without.

Conclusion

A well matured single grain whisky, lots of sweetness, citrus and fruitiness coming through with only a hint of the industrial grain spirit appearing for us. Fragrant Drops continue to impress us with their grain whisky choices.

Score: 8/10

Value

As we’ve come to expect, another well-priced release from Fragrant Drops.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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