Glengoyne, technically classed as a Highland whisky, toes the Highland line some 20 miles north of Glasgow. In fact, its warehouses sit on the south side of the road, in the Lowlands! There likely aren’t many whiskies that can claim to be distilled in the Highlands and aged in the Lowlands. Glengoyne is a small facility with limited production, which may contribute to its consistently high-quality malt. I must confess I knew nothing about the distillery until I tried this sample, and was immediately impressed by both the quality and refinement in such a relatively unknown 12 year-old scotch.
A 12 Years Old Highlander from Glengoyne, famed for their unpeated single malt. Glengoyne is always very pure in style, allowing their high-quality, easy-drinking whisky to shine in its natural state.
Tasting Notes:
Lemon zest, toffee apples – and a scent of coconut. Hand-selected sherry casks help create this paradise of flavours and rich, golden colour. It is the taste of Scotland’s slowest distillation, and our insistence on barley dried by air – never peat.
Nose: Toffee apples, a little acacia honey, nectarine in syrup and spice, supported by toasted barley in the background.
Palate: Over-ripe grapes, honeyed with hints of vanilla, coconut milk and oak spice. Light touches of chocolate ice-cream.
Finish: Long, oily finish with lingering coffee notes.