Review | King's Inch 8 years old

This Scotch whisky bottling is the first-ever age statement single malt in the core range of King's Inch. The King's Inch 8 years old has been created by owners Courageous Spirits, who have selected a Lowland single malt that has been matured in ex-bourbon casks and ex-Oloroso sherry butts and then vatted them together. There are just 1,500 bottles available.

Courageous Spirits, who also produce the popular Glas We Gin, named their whisky range after an island that was found in the River Clyde. King's Inch Island is now part of the southern bank following an extensive dredging project. A king's inch was also an ancient measurement of barley. It is designed to be an urban whisky from a city steeped in industrial and artistic history. The origin of the liquid is not revealed, other than that it is distilled in the Lowlands.

The King's Inch 8 years old is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available via www.kingsinch.com and selected whisky retailers in the UK. A bottle will cost £49. 

Our Tasting Notes

The colour is pale gold and the nose is sweet, sugary and fruity. A mix of green fruit (especially pear and apple) combine with some vibrant citrus (think of lemon and grapefruit peel) and are joined by further aromas of muscovado sugar, vanilla fudge and marzipan. Hints of hazelnut, milk chocolate and cocoa powder are also evident.

On the palate this whisky feels sweet and slightly richer than on the nose. There is also more peppery heat than the nose suggested. The sugary elements dominate now with crumbly brown sugar, golden syrup and honey-like notes to the fore. Then comes the fruit - imagine candied lemon, grapefruit zest and green apple again with some boiled peardop sweets and plump sultana. The combination creates a warming and vibrant mouth feel that is accentuated by a later note of fresh gingerbread that evolves. Hints of milk chocolate and cocoa powder also come through late on, as does a distinct bittersweet maltiness and further hints of oak spice and white pepper.

The finish is a touch on the short side. Once the sugary and fruity characteristics fade a little then the malt, oak and spices begin to dominate. This heats things up and also dries them out. A distinct gingerbread note develops late on that has more influence than on the palate.

What's The Verdict?

This is a decent whisky and one that is well priced. We remember finding the original King's Inch Single Malt bottling a little hot, youthful and feisty for our liking but this 8 years old is showing a clear development and progress. This still has some of these elements but they are significantly muted compared to the previous release and the whisky has clearly benefitted from a lovely marriage of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. With only 1,500 bottles available it would be worth grabbing one while you can.