#invergordon

Good Morning from Scotland 

Cet été j’ai passé un mois en Écosse

Date: 10/21/2017

Bottles:

Cadenhead’s Fettercairn 28 yr

Cadenhead’s Caol Ila 33 yr

Cadenhead’s Fettercairn 43 yr

Scotland. The motherland. Scotch Club was over a year old, and I thought it was about time we went to the source. Six of us went to Edinburgh, Dalwhinnie, and Blair Atholl for a few nights, then stopped at Cadenhead’s to bring back the next round of scotch for our comrades.

Cadenhead’s is an independent bottler, and they’ll sell you very old whisky for a very reasonable price. Not sure what their secret is, probably has something to do with not shipping internationally which keeps costs down, but if you’re ever in Edinburgh, here’s a sample for what you can get for the £100-£140 range.

Fettercairn 28 year

A real highlander. Bananas and citrus fruits, but strong. The alcohol burn wasn’t there, but it felt like high octane. I compared the palate (favorably) to Fernet. I like Fernet.

With a bit of water, this opened up beautifully. The candyish banana became wonderfully baked banana bread, and the medicinal/petrol qualities rounded out to gentle warmth.

“Citrusy and complex, with a medicinal finish.” - @dynabit

Caol Ila 33 year

As a counterbalance to the fruity highlander, we broght back a classic Islay malt. Peat exactly how it needed to be: with much more finesse that you just don’t see in a younger Islay malt. Damp, dank, coal.

Watering this down unearthed some of the background grassy notes. @cyle compared this to sheep-dung smoked single malt that you can get in Iceland.

“Like a wet dog in the industrial revolution.” - @sreegs

Invergordon 43 year

Finally, our oldest bottle we’ve ever had in scotch club. It’s a single grain whisky, not single malt. The delicate sweetness of a single malt is instead replaced with caramel and toffee. Like a bourbon.

Smells like gingerbread, and tastes like brown sugar and oak. A perfect dram to warm your frozen soul.

“On the edge of cognac.” - @cryptographrix

Cheers!

Echoes of the Cromarty Firth

There is something hauntingly beautiful about the grain of an old "Ideal Series" glossy print. This view of Invergordon High Street (looking West) dates back to a time when the town was the "Best Natural Harbour in Europe."

Highlights of the Scene:

The Lamp Post: A classic Victorian design that served as a landmark for locals and visiting sailors alike.

The Royal Hotel: You can see the distinct architecture of the buildings that hosted naval officers and weary travelers.

The Atmosphere: That moody, hand-tinted sky perfectly captures the northern light over Easter Ross.

This card was part of the "Davidson’s Glossy Photo Print Series," printed in Britain during the postcard's golden age. It’s more than just a souvenir; it’s a portal to an era of dreadnoughts and steam power.

Read the full journey through time here: Postcard Postscripts: Echoes of the Cromarty Firth: A Journey Through Time on Invergordon High Street