Glengoyne 18 Years Review

“Merry Christmas Everybody”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Southern Highlands

Brand: Glengoyne 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 18 Years

ABV: 43%

Colour: Golden with a touch of Orange (Natural Colour)

Nose: A real Christmas whisky. The Sherry Cask influence is evident and I find just a touch of Sulphur. Nothing serious though. I get Rum soaked Fruitcake, Dried Fruits like Raisins and Apricots, Papaya Cream, Blackcurrant Muffins, Oak, Apple Pie with Powdered Sugar, Banana, light Honey, Vanilla, Sweet Barley, Citrus Peel, Nuts, Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove, Nutmeg, light Pepper and hints of Espresso and Tobacco. Make sure you give this Glengoyne sufficient time in the glass to reveal its Aromas. There's a bit of Alcohol around that reminds me of young Brandy. The Nose is quite similar to the 15 - and 17 Years.   

Palate: Sherry, a little Sulphur, Rum Soaked Fruitcake, Sweet Barley, Caramel, Apple Pie, English Marmalade, Marzipan, Nuts, light Honey, Vanilla, Coconut, Papaya Cream, Banana, Milk Chocolate, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Ginger, light Pepper and hints of Espresso and Brandy.   

Finish: Middle-Long and Bitter-Sweet with Sweet Barley, Malt, Banana, Citrus Peel, Vanilla, Caramel, Coconut, Milk Chocolate, Oak, Honey, Nuts, Nutmeg, Clove, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper, light Menthol, Licorice and hints of Espresso and Brandy.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes Sweeter with Apple Pie, Barley, Honey and Chocolate. Pepper and Oak become more evident on the Palate and in the Finish. The Glengoyne 18 certainly lets you play with a little Water.

Rating: 85

Nose: 22 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21

General Remarks: The Glengoyne Distillery was founded in 1833 by the known Edmonstone Family and is located in Dumgoyne by Killearn (Glasgow). Since 2003 it is owned by Ian MacLeod Distillers. Glengoyne has the slowest Distilling process of all Scottish distilleries to ensure lots of contact with the Copper Stills. The Barley is also dried exclusively with Hot Air. Peat is never used. Glengoyne is used in Blends like The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark. The Glengoyne 18 Years was launched in late 2012 to replace the 17 Years. It matures in a mix of First Fill European Oak Sherry (35%), First Fill American Oak Sherry (15%) and other Oak Casks (50%). The 18 Y is Chill-Filtered and is sold at approximately 90 US Dollars (December 2015).

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: Solid After Dinner Highlander with lots of Christmas Cake, Dried Fruit and Spices. Personally I believe that this type of Whisky should be bottled at 46% to reveal its complete potential. I liked it slightly better than the 17 but in fact they are quite similar. It's just a matter of personal Taste and Casks. It's also close to the 15 Years that has the better Price/Quality Ratio. Still, the 18 Years will do nicely when sipped in your comfortable chair before the fireplace after a nice Christmas dinner!

“I would like to wish all readers of Best Shot Whisky Reviews and their families a very Merry Christmas. I hope many of you will treasure the Spirit of Love and Happiness and make 2016 a better year for the world. We need that!

Jan van den Ende                                  December 24, 2015 and April 13, 2017