Glengoyne Single Malt Scotch Whisky has released the Glengoyne 25 year old expression into the Australian market. Visiting Australia, Jonathan Scott, Area Director Asia Pacific at Ian Macleod Distillers hosted a whisky tasting and lunch at the Glenguin Estate in the Hunter Valley.
Legally established in 1833, Glengoyne is located in the Highlands at the foot of an old volcanic hill and is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent, family-owned distillers. Technically, their stills are located in the Highlands while the casks mature across the road in the Lowlands. The distillery is located 20 kilometres north of Glasgow and its proximity makes it one of the most visited distilleries in Scotland. Meaning “valley of the wild geese”, it was previously known as Glenguin before the name was changed in 1908.
Glengoyne Glenguin Connection
The Hunter valley location was chosen due to a historical connection with the winery and distillery.
Arthur William Tedder was born in Glenguin, Scotland. he was a pilot in the RAF during WWI and a high commanding officer in WWII. As a reward to his efforts, he was awarded the title of first Baron Tedder of Glenguin. His grandson, Robin Tedder, who holds a Masters of Wine founded the Glenguin Wine Estate in 1988 in the Hunter Valley.
In celebration of the link between the vineyard and the distillery, Glengoyne released a limited edition Glengoyne Glenguin 16 Year Old Shiraz Finish where casks from the Glenguin wine estate were used to mature the whisky. The limited release is no longer available.
Glengoyne Tasting Notes
Glengoyne distillery is known for using unpeated barley which is air-dried, its slow distillation methods and maturation mainly in sherry casks. The whiskies have a natural colour, are non-chill filtered with no additives or caramel coloring added. Seven single malts were on taste including the new 25 yo expression.
Glengoyne 10 Year Old (40% ABV) is an entry level dram and an introduction to the Glengoyne range. Golden yellow in colour, the whisky has sweet toffee aromas with notes of fresh green apples which translate to the palate.
Glengoyne 12 Year Old (43% ABV) is aged in a mix of first fill and refill sherry casks. Similar aromas of toffee and honey with lemon zest are evident on the nose with a more noticeable cinnamon, ginger and spice finish on the palate.
Glengoyne 15 Year Old (43% ABV) has the highest percentage of American oak of the entire range, between 25 and 50%. On the nose, dried fruit and citrus are detected with subtle oak on the finish. This is a more elegant dram then the 10 yo, with a pleasant lingering spice on the palate.
Glengoyne 18 Year Old (43% ABV) is aged mainly in sherry casks. It has stewed fruits, orange peel and Christmas pudding aromas with a pronounced spicy, dry and oaky finish. Full-bodied and rich, it is a most pleasant dram to sip on any occasion.
Glengoyne 21 Year Old (43% ABV) was the oldest in the range prior to the 25 yo expression and is aged exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks. The abundance of sherry, honey and oak is highly evident on the nose and the palate sings with a cinnamon spice. A dry oaky finish tends to overwhelm some of the rich fruit and Christmas cake flavours.
Glengoyne Cask Strength (58.7% ABV) bears no age statement and is rather smooth with little alcohol burn for its abv. The nose is a little weaker than others in the range with baked custard and peppered strawberries. However, the finish is short which tends to take away from the enjoyment of the whisky.
Glengoyne 25 Year Old (48% ABV) is matured exclusively in sherry casks and has a dark amber colour in the glass. On the nose, it is redolent with Christmas cake, cinnamon spice with a rich palate of raisins, dried fruit, cinnamon and clove. A very long and lingering balance of spice and oak finish makes it a most luxuriant dram to enjoy in fine surrounds.
The 25 yo expression is presented in an oak boxed bespoke bottle with a a fine metal stopper, crafted cartouche and branded neck tag.
This article was originally published on June 17, 2014 on our sister website Gourmantic.
