“Give More Power to this Glengoyne”
Whisky Review # 639
Country: Scotland
Region: Southern Highlands
Brand: Glengoyne
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 21 Years
Age: 21 Years
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 43%
Maturation: Sherry Casks
Chill Filtration: Yes
Price Range: 120-140 US Dollars. (August 2017)
Buying Advice:😔Good Malt but misses Power. The 15 has a better PQR.
Maturation: Sherry Casks
Chill Filtration: Yes
Price Range: 120-140 US Dollars. (August 2017)
Buying Advice:😔Good Malt but misses Power. The 15 has a better PQR.
Colour: Copper (Natural Colour)
Nose: The Sherry casks immediately activate the Jingle Bells. Christmas is all over the place. I do perceive a bit of Sulphur but it stays within limits. There is a lot to discover on this Nose so here we go. This is Dried Fruits and Nuts country and I detect Rum Soaked Raisins, Sultanas, Apricot, Banana, Dates, Figs, Plums, Slightly Sour Cherries, Red Berries, Almonds and Hazelnuts. All the ingredients for your perfect Christmas cake. Plus some spices of course. We have Pepper, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Cloves. In addition to all of this I find Toasted Barley, Brown Sugar, Treacle, Caramel, Vanilla, Honey, Toffee, Sweet Apple, Oak, Orange-Peel, Bitter Chocolate, Roasted Coffee, Dusty Road and Tobacco. A very Rich and Luxurious combination. Despite the 21 years of cask time, the Alcohol is not totally integrated.
Palate: The Palate basically follows the Nose and all the Dried Fruit and Nuts are still there. The difference is the density. On the Palate, this Glengoyne is a little on the Thin side and I can almost hear it scream for an ABV of 46-48%. A little Sulphur here as well but nothing really serious. I also find Toasted Barley, Treacle, Caramel, Vanilla, Sour Strawberries, Red Apple, Orange Peel, Mandarin, Honey, Cinnamon, Pepper, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cloves, Dried Herbs, light Licorice, Menthol, Oak, Bitter Chocolate, Dusty Road and a little Alcohol.
Finish: Middle-Long. Sweet and Spicy with a few Sour- and Bitter notes as well. Quite Dry in the end. You would wish for a longer Finish but the relatively low ABV won't allow that. I find Toasted Barley, Brown Sugar, Caramel, Orange-Peel, Sour Berries, Red Apple, Dark Chocolate, Espresso, Tobacco, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger, Cardamom, light Licorice, Menthol, Dried Banana and Salted Nuts.
Drinking Advice:
I added the famous three drops of Water but the Glengoyne 21 Years does not improve. Better sip it neat.
Rating: 86
Visit May 2017
Palate: The Palate basically follows the Nose and all the Dried Fruit and Nuts are still there. The difference is the density. On the Palate, this Glengoyne is a little on the Thin side and I can almost hear it scream for an ABV of 46-48%. A little Sulphur here as well but nothing really serious. I also find Toasted Barley, Treacle, Caramel, Vanilla, Sour Strawberries, Red Apple, Orange Peel, Mandarin, Honey, Cinnamon, Pepper, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cloves, Dried Herbs, light Licorice, Menthol, Oak, Bitter Chocolate, Dusty Road and a little Alcohol.
Finish: Middle-Long. Sweet and Spicy with a few Sour- and Bitter notes as well. Quite Dry in the end. You would wish for a longer Finish but the relatively low ABV won't allow that. I find Toasted Barley, Brown Sugar, Caramel, Orange-Peel, Sour Berries, Red Apple, Dark Chocolate, Espresso, Tobacco, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger, Cardamom, light Licorice, Menthol, Dried Banana and Salted Nuts.
Drinking Advice:
I added the famous three drops of Water but the Glengoyne 21 Years does not improve. Better sip it neat.
Rating: 86
Nose: 22.5 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21.5
The Burnfoot distillery was founded in 1833 by the Edmonstone Family. Lang Brothers bought the distillery in 1876 and changed the name to Glenguin before it finally became Glengoyne in 1905. Since 2003, the distillery is owned by Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. It is located in Dumgoyne near Killearn, close to Glasgow. It sits right on the boundary between Highlands and Lowlands. The distillery itself is in the Highlands while the warehouses are just down the road in the Lowlands. The production stands currently at slightly under 1 million liters. The core range includes the 10, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 25 years. The location close to Glasgow makes it very accessible for day tours and around 60.000 people visit the distillery each year. We were there last May as well on a sunny Sunday afternoon and the place was packed with visitors. Four tours were being held at the same time. The distillery is certainly worth a visit and the shop and location are very nice as well. But it's better to avoid the weekend!
The latest version of the 21 Years that I'm reviewing today was launched in 2007. Packaging and Bottle are very sophisticated.
General Remarks:
🏣 The Distillery and Today's Whisky:
The Burnfoot distillery was founded in 1833 by the Edmonstone Family. Lang Brothers bought the distillery in 1876 and changed the name to Glenguin before it finally became Glengoyne in 1905. Since 2003, the distillery is owned by Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. It is located in Dumgoyne near Killearn, close to Glasgow. It sits right on the boundary between Highlands and Lowlands. The distillery itself is in the Highlands while the warehouses are just down the road in the Lowlands. The production stands currently at slightly under 1 million liters. The core range includes the 10, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 25 years. The location close to Glasgow makes it very accessible for day tours and around 60.000 people visit the distillery each year. We were there last May as well on a sunny Sunday afternoon and the place was packed with visitors. Four tours were being held at the same time. The distillery is certainly worth a visit and the shop and location are very nice as well. But it's better to avoid the weekend!
The latest version of the 21 Years that I'm reviewing today was launched in 2007. Packaging and Bottle are very sophisticated.
Visit May 2017
🍷 The Spirit:
Glengoyne operates one Wash Still and two Spirit Stills with Lyne Arms that point slightly downwards. They produce a medium-bodied Sweet, Floral, Malty Spirit. The Malt is part of Blends like Lang's Supreme, Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse. The Water is sourced from Loch Carron.
Glengoyne 21 Years matures in First-Fill European Oak Ex-Sherry casks. They gave good Colour and sufficient Aromas and Flavours to the Spirit. Unfortunately it is watered down too much
Drinking Experience: Good
Conclusion:
If ever there was a Single Malt that deserved a higher ABV, it's the Glengoyne 21 Years. What a pity. The Nose is truly wonderful and you only have to close your eyes to imagine Nosing this Whisky close to the open fire after a very nice Christmas Dinner. But than you take a sip and you can't help but feeling ever so slightly disappointed. This is not a bad Single Malt mind you but it could have been so much better. And at this price level people would pay a little more for an ABV of 46-48%. I understand that Glengoyne released a new 25 years that was bottled at 48%. I can't wait to taste that one and I would highly suggest Glengoyne to reconsider the ABV of the 21 Years as well. 100% First Fill Sherry casks simply deserve to be enjoyed to the full without the Spirit being watered down too much. As it stands, the Glengoyne 21 Years is still a very nice Single Malt but it's also quite expensive. The 15 Years has a much better Price/Quality ratio (PQR) even considering the fact that this Glengoyne matures in a mix of Bourbon and Sherry casks.
Visit May 2017
🌲 The Wood:Glengoyne 21 Years matures in First-Fill European Oak Ex-Sherry casks. They gave good Colour and sufficient Aromas and Flavours to the Spirit. Unfortunately it is watered down too much
Drinking Experience: Good
Conclusion:
If ever there was a Single Malt that deserved a higher ABV, it's the Glengoyne 21 Years. What a pity. The Nose is truly wonderful and you only have to close your eyes to imagine Nosing this Whisky close to the open fire after a very nice Christmas Dinner. But than you take a sip and you can't help but feeling ever so slightly disappointed. This is not a bad Single Malt mind you but it could have been so much better. And at this price level people would pay a little more for an ABV of 46-48%. I understand that Glengoyne released a new 25 years that was bottled at 48%. I can't wait to taste that one and I would highly suggest Glengoyne to reconsider the ABV of the 21 Years as well. 100% First Fill Sherry casks simply deserve to be enjoyed to the full without the Spirit being watered down too much. As it stands, the Glengoyne 21 Years is still a very nice Single Malt but it's also quite expensive. The 15 Years has a much better Price/Quality ratio (PQR) even considering the fact that this Glengoyne matures in a mix of Bourbon and Sherry casks.
Jan van den Ende August 31, 2017
Visit May 2017
