Invergordon 1973 (Sansibar vs. Liquid Art)

There are several Invergordon 1972 and 1973 to choose from lately. After the 1972 for Whisky Nerds, I’ll try two 1973’s head-to-head. The first is bottled by Sansibar in its Samurai series.

 

 

Invergordon 1973 (52,2%, Sansibar 2015, Samurai label, 240 btl.)

Nose: quite mild, with the vanilla sweetness in first row, and a creamy coconut note next. Hints of white chocolate. Close to rum (some banana and plums), although with the pencil shavings and the herbal notes it also hints towards old bourbon. More grassy hints after a while.

Mouth: same flavours of coconut, vanilla cream, a couple of strawberries. A nice wave of half-tropical fruits, with mild oak and ginger. Sweet herbal tea, moving towards mint in the end. Nutty notes as well.

Finish: not too long, taking the mint further, with cinnamon and hints of sugar-coated walnuts.

Nice grain whisky again. Pleasant to drink with its big fruity core. It seems to have a bit more oak spices than the Whisky Nerds release, which can be a pro or a contra, depending on your preferences. Expensive: around € 230.

Score: 88/100

 

The second one was selected by two Belgian bottlers: we already knew Liquid Art for its labels done by different local artists, but Beacon Spirits is a brand-new player.

 

Invergordon 1973 (52,4%, Liquid Art & Beacon Spirits 2016, 257 btl.)

Nose: too difficult to describe the differences really, if there are any in the first place. Maybe a little more velvety, custardy vanilla, but as soon as you focus on that, the other one also seems to get more of it. Also, I don’t know how long both bottles had been open, so this can also account for subtle differences. I’d say it’s virtually the same whisky.

Mouth: a little more on mint, I’d say, but the sweetness and fruitiness of the spirit stands it quite well. Getting quite mentholated. Some cardamom. Tropical notes again, really great. A slight grassy / alcoholic edge in the end.

Finish: similar impression, a tad more oak, but also marzipan and coconut candy to balance it.

First of all, both grains are very close together. Alongside the slightly oakier touches, this one seemed to have noticeably more punch. Quality-wise I would give the Sansibar bottling a slight edge, but if you’re thinking of buying one, the price difference is also important. Around € 165.

Score: 87/100