Country: Scotland
Region: Highland
Brand: Glengoyne Heritage Gold
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 14 Years
ABV: 40 %
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: Quite uneventful but not unpleasant with Nuts, Dried Fruits (Raisins and Apricots), Honey, Oak and Sawdust, Vanilla, Oloroso, Caramel, Buttered Toast, Pear and Sweet Barley. A hint of Apple Pie every once in a while!
Palate: The Medium-Sweet Flavour Profile of the Nose is confirmed with Dried Fruits, Oak, Cinnamon, Hazelnut, Honey, Licorice, Caramel and a sprinkle of Pepper and Nutmeg.
Finish: Middle-Long with Oak, Cinnamon, Toffee and Lemon/Lime.
I added a bit of Water and Floral tones as well as extra Fruit, Honey and Malt appear on the Nose. On the Palate, the Heritage Gold becomes a bit too thin and Licorice and Spice start to dominate the Fruity tones. I prefer to sip it neat but the Nose certainly accepts a bit of Water.
Rating: 80
Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 19.5 - Overall: 20
General Remarks: The Glengoyne 14 Year Old Heritage Gold is a special 1 liter Travel Retail Edition, launched in 2008 to celebrate nearly 200 years of Glengoyne history and craftsmanship. It was matured in a mixture of Oak Casks by Lang Brothers of Dungoyne. This Batch was bottled by them on July 15, 2010. This expression is discontinued in the meantime. Today it's still available though outside the Duty Free system at around 55 US Dollars a bottle. Glengoyne (Gaelic for Valley of the Geese) dries all Malt with Hot Air. No Smoke and Peat to be found!
Drinking Experience Neat: Good
Conclusion: I've Seen That Face Before was a hit by Grace Jones in 1981. A song that took me by surprise at that time. Quite unique! The same surprise does not hit me with this Glengoyne expression. But I've Seen That Face Before though! A quite average Single Malt with a Lowland character despite its Highland nomination. An uncomplicated - and creamy entrance whisky for newbies although there is perhaps a bit too much Oak on the Palate and in the Finish. More accomplished whisky drinkers won't find the Glengoyne Heritage Gold overly exciting.
Jan van den Ende March 9, 2013
