1. Glengoyne 12 Years
Glengoyne is one of the whiskey brands that can be easily accessed through YouTube and various other media. I first learned about this whiskey through YouTube as well. It’s considered a decent Scotch whiskey, so I planned to purchase it when I had the chance.
For those who enjoy whiskey and wine, budget always becomes an issue. Thus, despite the desire to taste various drinks, the reluctance to purchase without knowing the flavor and spending a significant amount of money is real.
However, I managed to purchase a set of miniatures from Glengoyne, including the 18-year, 12-year, and the NAS version called Legacy, each being 50ml.
This time, I’d like to review the 12-year-old version. Glengoyne 12-year-old utilizes Ex American bourbon casks (first fill) and European sherry casks (second fill), with an alcohol content of 43%.
Many whiskeys prefer this combination of bourbon and sherry casks. Balvenie DoubleWood also fall into this category. In terms of price, the 12-year aging process puts it in a similar range.
The label features a goose, which symbolizes Glengoyne. In the older version, there were two geese, leading to opinions that the newer version with only one goose has a reduced quality. Hence, there’s a saying that the taste has diminished as much as the number of geese has.
2. Glengoyne
1) Glengoyne Story
Glengoyne means “Valley of the Geese” in Gaelic. It began its first distillation in 1820 and was licensed in 1833. It was part of the Edrington Group before being acquired by Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd in 2003.
Until 2008, the brand was known for its steadfast dedication to using only the Golden Promise barley variety in its products, alongside The Macallan. However, by 2011, due to issues with supply and cost-effectiveness, it was reported that the brand had reduced its use of the Golden Promise variety to only about 15%.
A unique feature of Glengoyne is its location straddling the Highlands and the Lowlands, with distillation taking place in the Highlands and maturation in the Lowlands. This positioning makes it a distinctive brand. Additionally, the distillery is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and offers a visitor program. Another notable aspect of Glengoyne is its minimal use of peat, allowing for the enjoyment of pure malt whiskey flavors without the influence of peat.
2) Tasting Notes
The color of the Glengoyne 12 is a clear golden hue, and the legs do not appear very pronounced. On the nose, it is dominated by sweet aromas of fruit(Apple) and honey, with a nuttiness coming through from the malt. There was also a slight alcohol presence, likely because the bottle had been recently opened, but this mellowed after some time.
Tasting Glengoyne 12, the flavors are similar to the aromas detected. However, there isn’t much spiciness or peatiness, with a stronger emphasis on the nutty maltiness rather than sweetness. The bourbon influences feel more pronounced than the sherry, and there’s a hint of citrus acidity(Lemon Zest). The finish isn’t particularly long, but a pleasant nuttiness lingers in the mouth.
3) Product Information
Product Name: Glengoyne 12 Years
Type of Food: Whisky
Volume: 700ml
Alcohol: 43%
Ingredients: 100% Whisky
Country of Origin: Scotland
Manufacturer: Broxburn Bottlers Ltd
3. Overall Review
In summary, Glengoyne 12 Years seems like a clean and sophisticated whisky. Of course, considering its price range is similar to that of other 12-year offerings from Balvenie and Macallan, it might pose a dilemma for buyers. The combination of sweetness with a hint of acidity gives it a crisp feel.
However, Glengoyne has unique characteristics that make it a whisky worth enjoying. It seems like a suitable option especially for those who do not prefer peat.
4. Link
The Scotch Whisky Criteria, Types and Product Region
Glengoyne 12 Homepage – SingleMalt Scotch Whisky (Highland And Lowland)