Everything you need to know about Invergordon Distillery

Overview & History

Invergordon Distillery, located in the Highlands of Scotland, was founded in 1960. It is one of the major grain whisky producers in the country and is part of the Invergordon Group. While it has always been best known for its grain whisky production, Invergordon also produces malt whisky and is integral to a variety of well-known blended whisky brands.

The distillery has been important in the expansion of the Scottish grain whisky sector, helping meet the growing demand for blended whiskies in the 20th century. The distillery's modernisation and capacity expansion during the 1980s and 1990s helped it cement its position as one of the largest grain whisky distilleries in Scotland.

Production

• Spirit Type: Grain whisky, primarily for blending

• Distillation: Large continuous column stills (grain whisky)

• Cask Maturation: Primarily ex-bourbon barrels, with some experimentation in sherry casks

• Production Focus: Grain whisky for use in blends, though malt whisky is also produced

Invergordon’s production process focuses on large-scale, continuous distillation to produce a lighter, smoother grain whisky with consistent quality for blending.

Whisky Style

Invergordon’s grain whisky tends to have a:

• Light, smooth body

• Subtle vanilla sweetness

• Soft oak and caramel notes

• Clean finish

The whisky style is less complex than single malts but is appreciated for its versatility in blends, providing a smooth foundation that complements malt whiskies and other flavour components.

Key Expressions

• Invergordon 30 Year Old – A rare, well-aged grain whisky expression that showcases the smooth, delicate style with deeper oak and vanilla notes

• Invergordon 1960s & 1970s Bottlings – Limited releases offering greater complexity, showcasing some of the distillery's long-maturation potential

• Invergordon Single Grain Whisky – Occasional independent bottlings focusing on the distillery’s grain whisky character

The distillery’s grain whisky is primarily used for blending, with limited single cask or aged releases making it more sought after by collectors.

Significance

Invergordon Distillery plays a pivotal role in the production of grain whisky in Scotland. While it is less known in the single malt category, it has contributed significantly to the blended whisky industry. Its large-scale production facilities make it a key player in supplying whiskies for some of the biggest brands in the Scotch industry, especially those focusing on smooth, approachable blends.

Its rare single grain bottlings and long-aged expressions are valued among whisky connoisseurs for their smoothness and subtle depth.