Glengoyne 1999 Master of Malt 20 yo

 

 

 

50,5°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands

Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Master of Malt 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2019

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

It's often forgotten, but Master of Malt isn't just an excellent spirits website. It's also a respected independent bottler. This 20-year-old Glengoyne can testify to that, having aged honourably in a Sherry Hogshead before being sold in 130 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Blueberries, redcurrants and blackberries, black grapes, all wrapped in a cosy bark, lichen, vegetal moss, soft caramel, roasted hazelnuts, melted chocolate on warm pear, light mineral and spicy notes. Morello cherries, liquorice, a pinch of blackcurrant. On the palate, orange marmalade and dark chocolate, treacle, candied ginger, various spices, thyme and nutmeg, fir honey, where red fruit swims. Honeysuckle. The finish is long, rich and languorous, with dried fruits, apricots, figs and dates. Chocolate custard with a dash of vanilla.

 

In Short, 

A classic Glengoyne, deep and complex, fruity and pastry-like, with delicate hints of wood. It's a great success. It is still on sale on the Master of Malt website, but can also be found at auction. Fans of the profile will not be disappointed.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Deke McGee - That's Love

Glengoyne Cask Strength Batch 010

 

 

 

59,5°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands 

Refill Oak, 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Casks and 1st Fill Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

And here is the 10th Batch of Glengoyne Cask Strength, an annual limited edition that showcases the distillery's most intense spirit. For the occasion, it was aged in Refill Oak and Oloroso casks, with a small proportion of Bourbon Barrels. We don't know the age, but at least it's Cask Strength.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, lemon peel, slightly candied, but not too pronounced. White currants, well-balanced fullness, citrus meringue, grapefruit. Salted butter caramel, white peaches and lychees. Warm white chocolate cookies. On the palate, creamy vanilla, juicy and tangy pears, which go very well with the citrus fruit. It's woody and almost waxy, with honey and cinnamon. The spices build slowly to a peppery finish, clove and nutmeg, hazelnuts and smoky green tea, damp wood.   

In Short, 

I found it to have character and an original profile. It's very well made, delicate, gourmand, and full-bodied when it needs to be. What's more, if you look hard enough, you can find it at a very reasonable price. Maybe I'll give it a try sometime. Batch 011 is still not out, so we're waiting for it to compare. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Buddaheads - Mountain of Blues

Glengoyne 25 yo 2014

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands 

Sherry Seasoned European Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2014

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

The first Glengoyne 25yo was bottled in January 2014, it's called The First Fill, and it's 46° alcohol. This one is the 2nd Batch, bottled in March 2014, and it says 48° alcohol, which is better. According to one website, the casks used are all Oloroso Sherry, but the others say nothing about this. These are, of course, rare and highly sought-after whiskies.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Immediately you get to the very heart of the sherry, it's heavy, syrupy, bursting with a wide variety of fruits, plums, damsons, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, mangoes, figs, gooseberries, covered in melting chocolate, with notes of coffee, chicory, well-integrated cereals, old varnished wood, like in those old cupboards, parchment, floral and spicy notes. On the palate, still dark fruits, toffee, cocoa powder, cinnamon. Liquorice and dried banana, the spices are full and intense. The finish is very long and fairly powerful, with lots of chocolate and coffee, dried apricots, dates, quince jam and thyme.

 

In Short, 

It would have needed a few degrees more alcohol, and I would have ranked this whisky among the best I've drunk. And with a few ppm of peat, I would have put it in my personal top 5. But 48° is already very good. Let's face it, it really is a magnificent product, perfectly crafted, and the nose in particular is sublime. As for the price, it's obviously extremely high, but less than some other 25-year-olds, such as Macallan. It is obviously a major investment to acquire it.

Score : 91  

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Bonny B. - Roll Jordan Roll

Glengoyne 15 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands

1st Fill and 2nd Fill Sherry, 1st Fill Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

There was a 15 year old at Glengoyne between 2012 and 2018 or so, but it seems the recipe was different. This one has a similar formula to the 18 year old, just three years less maturation.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Creamy, crème caramel and chestnut cream, accompanied by a lovely woodiness and a variety of red fruits. Very appealing. Wood varnish, a hint of charcoal, blackberries, blackcurrants. On the palate, it's almost earthy, foresty, humus, bark, oak leaves, red plums and mellowed spices, paprika, cinnamon. Peach core. Herbaceous finish, fairly long, but lacks explosiveness. A touch of chocolate milk, blueberries and nutmeg, acorn, cola. 

In Short, 

More woody and foresty than the rest of the range, it brings its own personality and that's interesting. I don't think it's good value for money, so why not take the 18 year instead?

Note : 86

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Gary B.B. Coleman - The Sky is Crying

Glengoyne The Legacy Series Chapter Three

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands 

Refill Sherry and Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

To mark a break with chapter two of the Legacy Series, dominated by bourbon casks, chapter three will be infused into Sherry casks. The bottle is is intended as a tribute to Arthur John Tedder, the Exciseman of Glengoyne in the early 20th century, who took part in the 37 debates that decided what Scotch Whisky should be. After 37 debates, these experts came to the conclusion that Scotch Whisky should be made in Scotland - what geniuses!

Let's Taste It : 

At first, creamy and very well-balanced, with sweet barley and stewed red fruits, cherries and gooseberries, well-managed spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, then it becomes increasingly delightful, brown sugar, meringue, genoise, biscuit. Remarkably unctuous on the palate, with just the right amount of spice to give it a little character, slightly bitter wood, cloves, brown sugar, a few hints of chocolate, before a rather fine, long finish of pepper, heather, leafy, with a certain amplitude.

 

In Short, 

It's quite successful, the Sherry is relatively intense and round without being overpowering, giving a nice balance. I prefer this chapter three to chapter two, because it's less experimental, more basic and fruity, and I'd like to compare it with the first chapter, to get an idea of the range. It's a very interesting series, but let's be honest, it's too expensive.

Score : 87

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Natalie Cole - I'm Catching Hell (Living Here Alone)

Glengoyne 21 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands

1st Fill European Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2007

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

At Glengoyne, they only distil 6 litres a minute. Their motto is "Unhurried since 1833". Similarly, their casks are prepared for 6 years before being filled with the precious juice. Suffice it to say that the preparation of this 21-year-old, aged exclusively in European sherry casks, took a longer time. This is the top of the regular range, and its oldest expression after the 10 Years Old. It has since been joined by the 12, 18, Legacy Series and Cask Strength.

Let's Taste It : 

Exotic wood, just varnished. Beautiful charcoal fullness. Nuts, hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts. Dried grapes. After a while the Sherry takes flight, Christmas pudding, caramelised tart tatin, scoop of vanilla ice cream, cinnamon. You can feel the caress of the warm air that has malted the barley for hours. Some exotic fruits, kiwi, lychee. Quince jam. Coconut. Really good on the palate, still nutty, with apricot, slight acidity, spices, paprika, saffron, nutmeg. Prickly pears. Very woody finish, really long, with hints of tinder and Armenian paper. Chocolate and coffee. Chicory. Dry earth and oily charcoal. Maté.

 

In Short,

I was disappointed, especially by the nose, which lacked a little complexity and intensity, especially compared to the 18-year-old. That said, the palate and finish make up for it a little, though not enough for me to recommend buying it. In any case, it has become very difficult to find, and the price makes you smile.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Hania Rani - Glass

Glengoyne Cask Strength Batch N° 008

 

 

 

59,2°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands 

1st Fill, Refill Sherry, 1st Fill Bourbon and Rioja Wine Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

Since 2013, the distillery has been offering a single-cask bottling every year. Each time, the maturation process is a slightly different. And this year, surprise surprise, it seems that a few drops of wine cask-aged liquid have been slipped in, although this is not confirmed by the company's website.

Let's Taste It : 

Full-bodied and fruity, with juicy pear, watermelon and liquorice. Gingerbread, cinnamon, Smyrna grapes and morello cherries. But also berries, blueberries and gooseberries. Genoise biscuit, vanilla, pastry cream, chantilly cream. Finger-licking goodness. On the palate, spices, banana and a hint of lemon soon follow. Pepper, cumin, nutmeg. It's warm. The finish is very woody, again with biscuit flavours, quite long and explosive. Heather earth.

 

In Short, 

Very pleasant, just add a splash of water to make sure it doesn't take your head off. As sweet as ever, you'll want to have another glass. You may be tempted to buy it, even if the value for money is a little questionable.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Ray Charles - What'd I Say

Glengoyne 18 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands 

1st, 2d Fill Sherry and Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2012

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Launched in 2012 to replace the 17-year-old, this expression is the distillery's spearhead. Made from 30% First Fill Sherry Seasoned Casks, with the slow fermentation and distillation that characterise the distillery (more than 8 hours in the stills, it seems!), it undoubtedly offers us the best the distillery can produce at an acceptable price.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very rich nose, with hints of Christmas cake, gingerbread and dark chocolate. Brown sugar, which dissolves in the coffee. Pudding with Smyrna raisins. Morello cherries. Cinnamon. Coriander. Crumble, baked apples. Dash of vanilla, pastry cream. Monstrous balance on the palate, sweetness at first, then the spices rise. Sucking candy, chocolate cake, religieuse. You'd think you were in a bakery. The finish is long and very woody, with fruity notes of prunes, damsons and red apples. Kahlùa.

 

In Short, 

Really nice, warm and friendly. To be enjoyed by the fire on an evening when it's snowing outside. Having said that, I prefer Bunnahabhain 18 yo, with a profile that's not too far off. I find that the palate here is a little inferior. I'd like to taste it again to get a better idea.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Nicolette Larson - 'Lotta Love

Glengoyne The Legacy Series Chapter Two

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands 

1st Fill Bourbon and Refill Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Glengoyne is traditionally associated with ageing in Sherry casks, and this new limited series shows that this is by no means a requirement, having been matured mainly in first-fill Bourbon casks. The second maturation, in Refill Sherry, is bound to be harder to notice. This second chapter is dedicated to Peter Russell who, under the leadership of Ian McLeod Distillers, took over the distillery in 2003 and managed to double its production capacity without changing the distillation method, which is known to be slow, thus amplifying the flavours. Although the age is not stated on the bottle, I have been assured that it is a blend of products aged between 8 and 15 years.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is younger than the aged editions, but also more robust. The influence of Bourbon is predominant, with honey and juicy fruits. Vanilla, lemon, but also melon, passion fruit and even pineapple. A few hints of limestone too. Pebbles at the bottom of a river bed. A pinch of salt. The palate is full-bodied, but this time it's the Sherry that stands out, with pronounced spices. Paprika, saffron, black pepper. Damp wood, quickly varnished. Long, imposing finish, without being aggressive, electrifying, on Armenian paper. Cinnamon.

 

In Short, 

This bottling is a real success, with its 48° alcoholic strength bringing out the full breadth and variety of flavours. It's very satisfying. Nevertheless, I have to say that I prefer bottlings where Sherry dominates, for this distillery. What's more, the value for money is a little tight for my taste, but I don't think fans should hesitate.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                                        Donna Summer - I Feel Love

Glengoyne 12 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands

1st Fill, 2nd Fill American Bourbon and 1st Fill European Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2009

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

The difference is tight between Glengoyne's 10 year old and 12 year old. Three degrees more alcohol, and for my part I find a greater influence of Bourbon. However, the Sherry casks are first fill and should stand out. With this 12yo, the idea is to satisfy the Western European market with a product of better quality, but still very competitive in terms of price.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is full-bodied and more vanilla-like, with hints of white plum and coconut. Round and sweet, with hints of genoise biscuit and waffle with whipped cream. The first taste is suave, with a hint of lemon. Then the spices kick in, pepper, mustard and ginger. Warm. The finish is very balanced, not very aggressive, but quite long, with muscat grapes and a sprinkling of milk chocolate. The finish is evanescent, with green apples and a few floral hints.

 

In Short, 

For a few euros more, I think it would be better to buy this one, which is more solid and tasty. However, I'm not totally convinced, it lacks sherry for my taste, even though it's quite good overall.

Score : 85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Al Green - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

Glengoyne 10 yo

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands 

American ex-Bourbon and European Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2006

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

As Glengoyne is a distillery that prides itself on producing a malt that is absolutely free of peat, I was a little prejudiced towards them, as the absence of peat is in no way proof of the purity of the malt in my opinion. But they are also the only distillery, along with Macallan, to use Golden Promise barley, which is of excellent quality, and they are famous for their slow malting, using only hot air. So it's well worth trying the whole range. In the 1980s, the distillery sold a 10-year-old Pure Malt with a very different recipe. This recipe dates from 2006, shortly after Ian MacLeod Distillers bought the distillery.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Honey, hazelnut and wood: a soft, pleasant start on the nose, a little shy but well-crafted. The fruits are welcoming, yellow plums, pineapple, apple, grapefruit. An astonishing blend, which does not detract from the balance. Spicy on the palate, with paprika, curry and saffron. Raw leather. Italia grapes. A dash of vanilla. The finish is light but quite long, mellow, with hints of banana and dried coconut. It's very smooth, uncluttered and surprisingly so.

 

In Short, 

In my opinion, it's not bad at all. More of an aperitif whisky, very pleasant, sweet, but fairly harmless.

Score : 84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Smokey Robinson - Cruisin'

Glengoyne 2008 Provenance Special Selection for The Whisky Trail 10 yo

 

 

 

46° 

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands 

Refill Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask

Bottled in 2018

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

At Douglas Laing's, the Provenance range brings together Scottish single casks of a relatively young age, around ten years. This one is a Glengoyne aged in Bourbon casks, selected for The Whisky Trail, Scotland's most famous whisky distributor, based in Edinburgh. 342 bottles were produced.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

White fruits, lemon zest, grapefruit, coarse salt, damp grass. The Scottish countryside, with green hills as far as the eye can see. A vague impression of iodine, but I must be imagining things. On the palate, pear and white plums, a dash of vanilla. Sandalwood, floral fragrances, daffodils and jasmine. Quite a long finish, with varnished wood and soft caramel. A hint of latte macchiato. Gingerbread. Damp earth. Fig and banana. Liquorice stick.

 

In Short, 

It's really nice and pleasant to drink. I could do with a second glass. Having said that, it's not my thing, not an ounce of peat and aged in bourbon casks, I'm already surprised that I enjoyed it a little.

Score : 84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping : 

   

                                          Willie Nelson - Always On My Mind