In 2010, Finn Thomson had his first taste of working within the drinks industry. His grandfather kindly put him in touch with his old friend, Miguel Torres (Peter Thomson’s had been the sole selling agent for Torres wines in Scotland during the 70s and 80s). Miguel offered him the chance to work in the Torres Vilafranca del Penedès vineyards that summer where he would have a crash course in wine production, tastings and tours. This experience was the catalyst for him wanting to join the drinks industry and it inspired him to rebuild the old family connections with some of Europe’s best wineries.
So in 2020, as plans to launch Finn Thomson were laid down, he got back in touch with Torres and purchased a number of their red wine casks to use for finishing. This Inchgower was the first to re-racked and, having monitored it closely over the past 18 months, it is perhaps one of the most unique whiskies he has ever tried. The red wine comes through strongly with an abundance of strawberry and cream notes. Its quirky contrasts will undoubtedly split opinion, but that’s what independent bottling should be about.
Appearance
This dram has a Rosa wine colour, with a thick syrupy swirl line on my copita, that drop several medium thick legs.
Nose
Initially I’m getting a dusty pink lemonade aroma mixed with evergreen boughs. It’s quite herbaceous, with meadow flowers, definitely lavender.
More time and there are red cherries with old leather and an oily aroma. Wood varnish and a mustiness arrive, leading to dark chocolate coated strawberries, and wood sap.
Palate
The mouthfeel is pretty good here, quite oily, and we’re into cinnamon, cumin, and cardamom them loads of red berries and red liquorice. Black pepper also comes through with cigar leaves, some dunnage, and some earthiness.
More time and it does sweeten up a little, though it is still quite spicy in general. Syrup from a jar of cocktail cherries, red starburst sweets, and a lovely roundedness to the palate .
Finish
Still staying spicy with red fruits, though cask char or light tannins are here, espresso coffee, dates, raisins and dark plums.
My thoughts
This is only my 2nd whisky bottled by Finn Thomson that iv’e tried. I really enjoyed the first bottle from them that i tasted, the Blair Athol 9yo, and i have to say that this bottle, in my opinion, is also a very good whisky. I found plenty of influence from the Torres red wine cask, which widened the aroma and flavour range. This is a very pleasant whisky, one i would definitely have in my whisky cupboard.
A big thank you goes out to my whisky friend Alan for sending this generous sample to me. You can follow him as well as us on Twitter using the buttons below.
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