Inver House Green Plaid

Nose: Light and delicate with the emphasis firmly on cereal aromas. Cardboard, toasted muesli and vanilla but it’s all very reticent. This is a particularly shy and fragile nose but over time it gains more presence and some malt-ale notes. Palate: Soft, light, medium-sweet arrival with a tang of mild ginger, spice and a drop of honey. Some hints of lemon and orchard fruit in the background but there is no development to speak of. The texture is neutral, bordering on watery. Finish: Short. Crisp, mild and quick-fading cereal notes. An aftertaste of dilute black tea. This comes across very much like a young generic grain whisky, which is probably exactly what constitutes 90% of the contents. It does have a pleasantly refreshing and bright profile but it is very low-key. It reminds me of Cutty Sark and just a bit of Suntory Toki. A dash of water expands and mellows both the nose and palate, causing the sweet arrival to linger and the honey to come more to the front. However be cautious when watering as it can drown in an instant. Although this is a lower-shelf whisky it avoids the common faults found in many similarly priced brands. The nose is clean, the palate is free from clumsy caramel and the finish avoids bitterness or metallic notes. Every time I nose this whisky (and curiously I keep being drawn back to do so) I have an instant recollection of being in my uncle Herb’s sitting room in the 1960s, listening to cricket on the radio with him while he demolished a bottle of Haig. Not such a bad memory – I’ll give it an extra quarter point for that. “Adequate” : 73/100 (2.25 stars)

The nose could be described as faint or subtle depending on your outlook. What is there is malt driven with faint vanilla and a touch of orange peel. While one can certainly can find bigger noses what is there is actually nice. Tased. Sweet malt and that orange on the nose is presented, touch of ginger and light tannin. It's short and sweet as they say. Having said that nothing unpleasant sticks out and clearly all the whiskies used while very young are decent in quality and the overall balance is grain and malt driven. That is old school - old fashioned blend that its not trying to be anything other than what it is. Certainly can be drunk straight and while lacking in lots of character or thrills it is a perfectly pleasant blend. For the price it is decent value for money and while Loch Lomond might outgun it in power and thrills there certainly are far worse blends to be had. Solid. Thanks to Cascode for the sample.

I found this at my local liquor store for 99 cents per 50 ml and wondered, how bad could a $1 scotch be? Well, the nose isn’t bad and has some nice green apple and beeswax aromas. I continue to be impressed by the palate, which isn’t at all offensive like I anticipated. This scotch taste young and a little watery, but the flavor is enjoyable and has some nice honey, sweet corn, and malt. The finish isn’t complex, as the main flavors just fade away. I’m pretty impressed considering the plastic bottle and 99 cent price. This isn’t great scotch but it’s not bad. And I’d choose it over vodka any day.

you know I dont actually like this whisky, but for the price you kind of have to. this scotchs main weakness for me is its sweetness, which isnt either confectionary or the dark smoothness of tawny port of bourbon, but just plain sickly sweet cream. blegh. behind that though theres fruit, mustyness, and peat that isnt at all bad. the more I sip it actually, the more I'm coming around to this. I never really drink blends or grain (as opposed to malt) whisky, so this is definitely a change.

Nose: Vanilla. Toasted almonds. Some apple and pear. A touch of honey and cane sugar. Palate: Honey is stronger. Some grain notes. Slight citrus fruitiness blending with apple. Finish: Medium-long. Sweetness lingers. Vanilla and marzipan. Some tartness of lemon. Overall Thoughts: It’s a gentle blend that has a little kick to it that keeps it interesting. I enjoyed it and I think any Scotch drinker whether new or experienced would as well.

Inver House Green Plaid has an x.v. olive oil (greenish-gold) appearance and non-lingering alcohol legs. The aroma is of fairly bold grain whisky, with a shadow of peat & malt. The flavor is similar, with a bit of bees' wax and honeycomb. Mouthfeel is straight medium, and Green Plaid finishes moderate. RJT