Glengoyne White Oak

Glengoyne White Oak

Official bottling
Single malt - South Highlands
Pale gold
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, milk chocolate, black tea, molasses, malted grains, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, milk chocolate, orange peel, apricot jam, vanilla, fresh baked bread, hints of white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Cola nuts, raisins, milk chocolate, fresh baked bread, apricot jam. 

Comments: 

Sweet and fruity, lots of chocolate covered raisins, like all other Glengoynes. It’s delicate and rather delicious, and very winters.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.  

Glengoyne 15yo 2007/2023

Glengoyne 15yo 2007/2023

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - South Highlands

Very pale gold
48.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, fresh cut grass, walnut skins, vanilla, caramel, cream, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Orange peel, lemon sweets, strawberry jam, caramel, cream, milk chocolate, hints of malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Milk chocolate, caramel, raisins, orange peel, hints of malted grains. 

Comments: 

Cask DL17235. Sweet and juicy, with rich notes of chocolate covered raisins. There’s also a good strong citrusy note, oranges and slightly savoury lemon sweets. Very nice whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glengoyne 10yo 2008/2019

Glengoyne 10yo 2008/2019

Hepburn’s Choice, Langside Distillers 
Single malt - South Highlands
Pale silvery gold 
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, lemon zest, cooked rice, cream, hints of leather, hints of vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, thickens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Malted grains, cooked rice, sultanas, cream, green apples, hints of rhubarb. 
Finish: Short. Walnut skins, leather, malted grains, green apples. 

Comments: 

Now it’s unusual to have an unsherried Glengoyne, and this one is young to boot. But it’s got a decent level of complexity, with grain and cereally flavours predominating. The finish is leathery, tart and bitter, brief but intense.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch 7

Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch 7

Official bottling 
Single malt - South Highlands
Mahogany
59.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, chocolate, grape must, coffee, honey, hints of anise. With water, honey, coffee, walnuts, raisins. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, sticky, hot, loosens slightly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Chocolate, coffee, walnuts, grape must, black tea, hints of aluminium foil. With water, bitter, coffee, candied orange, black tea, walnuts. 
Finish: Medium. Walnuts, coffee, anise, aluminium foil.

Comments: 

I’ve been meaning to try a Teapot Dram for the longest tome. Finally managed to get my grubby paws on Batch 7. Highly sherried of course, but not too sweet. Not as raisiny as Glengoyne normally is, more bittersweet dark chocolate and coffee. Young, yet complex. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glengoyne Cask Strength (Batch 7)

Glengoyne Cask Strength (Batch 7)

Official bottling
Single malt - Sout Highlands
Green gold
58.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon juice, raisins, lime curd, fresh cut grass, chocolate, honey. With water, butterscotch, lemon juice, honey, hints of rhubarb and custard sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, warm, loosens slightly. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Black tea, lemon juice, fresh baked bread, vanilla, sponge, chocolate, raisins. With water, chocolate, raisins, rhubarb and custard sweets, lemon juice. 
Finish: Long. Chocolate, mint, vanilla sponge, fresh baked bread, lime curd. 

Comments: 

Not quite your usual Glengoyne, I've gotten very used to those chocolate covered raisin notes, which were present in the very first Glengoyne I ever had. This one still has those chocolate covered raisins, but these are muted behind fruit, some tartness, and even some tannic black tea.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glengoyne 18yo

Glengoyne 18yo

Official bottling
Single malt - South Highlands
Amber red
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Milk chocolate, raisins, red grapes, vanilla, honey, hints of black tea. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Chocolate, raisins, butterscotch, vanilla, coffee, cream, hints of black tea. 
Finish: Long. Coffee, cream, red grapes, butterscotch. 

Comments: 

I was struck by the similarity to the old 17yo official bottling, then by a different similarity to the 15yo official bottling. In the end, this is somewhere in between, luscious and sweet, very chocolatey, and raisiny, but less sweet than the older expressions. There's a great bitter note, like a very rich dark chocolate, or excellent espresso.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glengoyne Legacy Chapter One 2019

Glengoyne Legacy Chapter One 2019

Official bottling
Single malt - South Highlands
Amber, tinge of green
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemons, raisins, brass polish, white chocolate, leather, hints of salt caramel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, cool, loose, watery. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Raisins, lemons, oranges, white chocolate, pears. 
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, raisins, pears, hints of lemons. 

Comments: 

A new series of expressions from Glengoyne. This one is somewhat atypical, at least for me. It's not raisin-sweet and chocolatey, rather, the chocolate is less bitter, and there are clear notes of citrus. Nice whisky, and I look forward to trying the other expressions.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glengoyne 12yo

Glengoyne 12yo

Official bottling
Single malt - South Highlands
Light gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, milk chocolate, malted grains, apple juice, hints of fig jam. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, sticky, static, chewy. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Milk chocolate, raisins, prunes, dried figs, hints of coffee. 
Finish: Short. Cola nuts, coffee, red grapes, milk chocolate. 

Comments: 

Same old Glengoyne, chocolatey and raisiny, but this time with additional fruit and even a hint of tartness. I really enjoyed this, such a wonderful trip down memory lane.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glengoyne 15 yo

Glengoyne 15 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - South Highlands
Dark gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, chocolate, orange juice, plums, peanuts, hints of pineapples. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loose, turns watery, expands. 
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Chocolate, malted grains, raisins, orange peel, orange juice, plums, hints of red grapes. 
Finish: Medium. Red grapes, raisins, orange juice, plums. 

Comments: 

Lots of chocolatey Glengoyne oomph. But this whisky is really fruity and jammy, with slightly tart and slightly bitter notes in among all that raisins and chocolate. Nice grapey finish, although this isn't overly sherried in character.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 123.10 (Glengoyne 9 yo 2005/2014)

SMWS 123.10 (Glengoyne 9 yo 2005/2014)

2014, SMWS
Single malt - South Highlands
Brass
57.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Vanilla, milk chocolate, white grapes, pears, amaretto, marzipan, hints of sandalwood.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, turns syrupy, chewy.
Tasting: Sweet sour . Vanilla, white grapes, strawberries, honey, marzipan, pears, hints of lime, hints of milk chocolate.
Finish: Medium. Milk chocolate, pears, limes, white grapes, hints of honey.

Comments:

Sweet, fruity, lovely and drinkable. This is Glengoyne without any sherry influence, and it's equally good. Very, very nice indeed, delicious at this high strength, no water required.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glengoyne distillery

Glengoyne distillery
Dumgoyne, by Killearn
Stirling G63 9LB

South Highlands - Scotland, active

Flavour profile

Well, there it is - chocolate, peanuts and raisins. These flavours dominate Glengoyne whisky to the extent that I often think of chocolate-covered peanuts and raisins, the kind one can get in cinemas, or perhaps at Christmas. Glengoyne doesn't taste cheap at all though - it's sweet, unctuous and flavourful, to the point where I think it's the sort of whisky one indulges in as a luxury. Perhaps, indeed at Christmas.

These sweet, fruity, nutty notes are probably the result of the casks - official Glengoyne bottlings use a lot of sherried whisky, while the two independent bottlings that I've had appear to be aged in port pipes. There is no peat - Glengoyne of course advertises its whisky as completely unpeated. Nevertheless I've detected some odd leather notes in one or two Glengoyne bottlings, so it does exist.

Glengoyne 17 yo was one of the first whiskies I ever tasted, and the distillery's output remains a great introduction into the world of dramming and the related world of single malt whisky. I've often thought about putting together a Glengoyne tasting. Maybe one day...

All the Glengoynes I have tasted so far are here.

SMWS 123.5 - good
SMWS 123.3 - very good
Glengoyne 21 yo - good
Glengoyne 10 yo - good
Glengoyne 17 yo - very good

Distillery history

This distillery sits so southerly that it's practically in the Lowlands. In fact, I believe some of its grounds technically sit across the Highland line. I've decided that it needs a special designation in my categories, so I've simply called this malt 'South Highlands'. The distillery markets itself as the only distillery in Scotland to eschew peat entirely. Flavourwise this is certainly true, and one can taste it, but I'm not really sure.

Glengoyne distillery was founded in 1833 by one George Connell, and was first named Burnfoot of Dumgoyne. The distillery passed through the hands of several private owners till it ended up in the hands of Lang Brothers Ltd by 1876. Lang Brothers Ltd eventually became part of the Edrington Group. The group refurbished the distillery in 1967, adding an additional still. The Edrington Group sold the distillery to Ian Macleod & Co in 2003.

There are 4 single malts in the entry-level range - the 10 yo, the 17 yo, the 21 yo, and a new 15 yo that I haven't tasted yet (but I will!). There are also a host of other special releases, like the Teapot Dram, which are harder to find. There are a few indie bottlings around though.

Potted distillery facts

Water source: Blairgar Burn
Washbacks: Six, Oregon pine, 19,000 litres each
Wash stills: One, reflux bowl neck, 16,520 litres.
Spirit stills: Two, reflux bowl neck, 5,000 litres
Spirit still Lyne arm: slightly descending
Production per year: 1,200,000 litres

- The Scottish Whisky Distilleries, Misako Udo

SMWS 123.5 (Glengoyne 8 yo 2001/2010)

SMWS 123.5 (Glengoyne 8 yo 2001/2010)

2010, SMWS
Single malt - South Highlands
Orange copper
60.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cinnamon, chocolate, plums, marmalade, peanuts, vanilla fudge, burnt sugar, hints of mint. With water, peanuts, fresh cut grass, walnuts.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, burning, hot, thickens.
Tasting: Sweet. Burnt sugar, marmalade, chocolate, cinnamon, plums, peanuts, vanilla, oak, raisins, hints of brown paper. With water, more bitter, walnuts, fresh cut grass, hints of red grapes.
Finish: Long. Fiery, plums, marmalade, cinnamon.

Comments:

Matured in a port pipe - usually these are nice and sweet, with lots of flavour. Christmassy, yet light. Reminds me of the Glengoyne 17 yo official bottling, lots of dried fruit and chocolate. This one is more spicy.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 123.3 (Glengoyne 8 yo 2001/2009)

SMWS 123.3 (Glengoyne 8 yo 2001/2009)

2009, SMWS
Single malt - South Highlands
Rose
59.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Strawberries, plums, kirsch, cherries, chocolate, vanilla, hints of raspberry jam.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, warms, then loosens.
Tasting: Sweet. Cherries, raspberry jam, strawberries, chocolate, toffee, hints of butterscotch.
Finish: Long Butter, peanuts, strawberries, cherries.

Comments:

Deliciously sweet and laden with red fruits. Rather like Portuguese cherry brandy (ginja), certainly more like that than whisky. It's a little less sweet and more complex than the usual Lisbon bar fare though.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glengoyne 21 yo

Glengoyne 21 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - South Highlands
Golden
43% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Chocolate covered raisins, oak, orange juice, butter, coffee, salt caramel, hints of peat, hints of hay.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, slightly watery around the edges.
Tasting: Sweet salty. Peat, sherry, butter, chocolate, olive oil, hints of grapefruit, hints of raisins.
Finish: Medium. Chocolate, salt caramel.

Comments:

Very like the 17 yo in the nose, but peatier. It tastes much more salty and savoury than the 17 yo though. There's a lot less oak too. I appreciate that - the 17 yo was in some ways far too much, but then once the oak is gone there's not much there to replace it, save some interesting olive oil notes. It's a drinkable whisky, but for me, it's not among the great ones.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glengoyne 10 yo

Glengoyne 10 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - South Highlands
Golden
40% ABV
Sampler

Nose: Oak, raisins, cotton candy, malt beer, vanilla fudge, nutmeg, other spices.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, watery around the edges.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Peanuts, vanilla, oak, christmas pudding, malt.
Finish: Short. Sweet, banana .

Comments:

Christmassy (okay, plummy is probably a better word, but then there are all these spices knocking around...). Could probably do with more oak, which is why the 17 yo expression is better. Nevertheless, pretty tasty on its own, and the banana in the finish holds my attention.

Verdict:

I like this.

Glengoyne 17 yo

Glengoyne 17 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - South Highlands
Orange honey gold
43% ABV
Bottle

Nose: Chocolate covered raisins, dark chocolate and oak. Grapes and apricots. Some faint minty, grassy notes.
Mouthfeel: Thick and viscous. Heavy body.
Taste: Sweet, winey and rich. Chocolate and grappa. Sweet, juicy California raisins.
Finish: Medium length, salty and sweet. Coffee and toast. Chocolate bonbons.

Comments:

Excellent whisky - the oak influence has combined well with the chocolate flavours. Reminds me of Christmas. This is a dessert whisky in any case, best had with something sweet. And Maltesers won't do either. It's got to be Christmas pudding.

Verdict:

I like this a lot!