Tasting 3 Glengoyne

The Glengoyne distillery is located in the ‘Highlands’ whisky region at Dumgoyne, north of Glasgow. Founded in 1833 and still operating, it distils whisky without the use of peat as means to dry the barley. Instead, Hot air is used. The Glengoyne is currently owned by Ian McLeod, and uses a slower  distillation process which is  one-third of the normal rate. This creates a more subtle, complex whisky in which all of the delicate flavours are freely allowed to express themselves.

The current core line consists of a 10, 12 , 12 Cask Strength ,17 and 21 year old. I received a 3 pack set of 3 miniatures of the 10,17 and 21,  from Ian McLeod which is packaged very nicely, in a wee plastic tube, a little booklet, and 3 very sexy minis inside…. Lovely!

Normally i am a peat loving kind of guy as you know, but i decided to give this ‘Hot Air’ instead of peat a try, and see how it goes. Now, let’s get on with the dramming.

Glengoyne 10 yo , 40% , £27

Nose: Very fresh with notes of Malt, Oak and  Green apples , clean and refreshing.

Palate : Oak, Again we meet the baked apples, some butterscotch, and wee vanilla.

Finish :Nice finish, buttery, a bit of oak, and some more vanilla.

Bottom line :

A very refreshing dram, great for summer. Not very complex, but well made. a great pre-dinner whisky, in my view. A real whisky, no finishes, peating and games. straight and to the point.

Glengoyne 17 yo , 43% , £48

Nose : Sherry notes, some raisins, oak, and baked apples again. heavier then the 10 year old… bigger bodied, but same ‘DNA’.

palate: Rich and  mouth coating. Fruits, big oak notes, butterscotch and nuts.  very satisfying.

Finish : Long, Oaky, wood spice.

Bottom line :

I like this one better, heavier, more complex and with a bigger body and aftertaste. the 10 yer old on steroids.

Glengoyne 21 yo , 43% , £80

Colour : the colour gives it up. we’re entering sherry aging here. i like! Copper! i could be looking at this for some time, Lovely.

Nose: Creamy sherry, with sweet dark fruits, and hints of baked apple strudel .

Palate: Rich, thick, sherry goodness. dark fruits (prunes,sultanas dipped in honey and liquor, also some dates). Moist Oak.

Finish : Longish,sherry, sweet, spice and cinnamon. I like this !.

Bottom line :

This is by far the best of all 3. i am a sherry addict,  so it hits a soft corner in my heart, but this is done right. great after meal companion, for a cold winter day. If i were to buy a single expression, i would go for this one, in spite of the price (not that 80 is so much for a 21 year old) .

Glengoyne does show it’s possible to create well made, enjoyable drams without any peat, and i can see myself sipping he 10 year old as a daily dram, when i am not looking for complexity, but just pure fun and simplicity. the 17 is nice too, but if i am in a sherry kind of mood, the 21 is a great option.

Sincere thanks to Leonard at Ian McLeod for the official samples.

slainte!