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Glengoyne 12 Year Old

Golden Barley Goodness

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@vrudy6Review by @vrudy6

31st Dec 2014

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Glengoyne 12 Year Old
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    88

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

After trying their 10 year old expression and loving it, naturally, I wanted to get my hands on the 12. This is a very special distillery. They distill their spirits the slowest in all of Scotland. It's suppose to deliver a smooth and rich whisky. Furthermore, they air-dry their barley, giving the whisky a clean sweet-barley finish.

Nose: Sweet, delicate, fresh barley, toffee, brown sugar, brazilnuts, lemon zest, apples, caramel, coconut. A bit musky.

Palate: Sweet, fresh barley comes through in a gentle manner. Then it Intensifies slowly into caramel toffee sprinkled with white pepper. Caramel coated apples. The sweetness rises once more, but at a higher scale right in the center of the tongue. a touch of cumin.

Finish: Soft, sweet toffee, fresh barley continues. It becomes just dry enough not to let it's sweetness overbearing. Finishing it all off with a dash of white chocolate.

When first opened, it was a touch herbal. As time went, it settled into the aforementioned description. I think that the slow distilling really makes a difference, because this is scary smooth. Furthermore, air drying their barley, IMHO, really puts the barley center stage allowing to savor its deepest cereal flavors. Some people describe this whisky as a "digestif." I think that's an understatement. This is a gem that can be enjoyed at any time of the day that is appropriate to sip an alcoholic beverage, "of course."

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11 comments

@Pudge72
Pudge72 commented

I would agree about Glengoyne...the 10 yo is, for me, malt Scotch at its most elemental. Anybody that wants to taste what whisky tastes like at its most basic (in the best possible meaning of the term) must give Glengoyne a try.

9 years ago 0

thewhiskydoctor commented

I've not tried a Glengoyne yet, it's been on my wishlist for a while, but your review certainly makes it sound worth getting a bottle. How does the 12 compare to the 10 in terms of price/different casks types? Which would you advise for someone trying their first Glengoyne?  Thanks, nice review. 

9 years ago 0

@vrudy6
vrudy6 commented

I reviewed the 10some months ago. Here in South Florida, I can find the 10 for around $35-$40. I feel that it's a great bargain. The 12 goes for around $50. In terms of taste comparo, they are both similar in flavor, but the 12 offers a deeper, smoother flavor with more caramel and sherry influence and a longer lasting finish. Also the 10, when first opened had a trace of vegetal flavor which I'm not too fond of, but it it was it quickly faded. Furthermore, compared to the Glenmorangie 10 original which is about the same price, same age, feels a lot more matured, not as sharp and definitely not as vegetal.

I know that the folks at Glengoyne use a combo of first-fill sherry with second-fill and bourbon casks. I don't know the ratios.

As for which one to try first, I would start with the 10 of course. I can't wait to get my hands on the 17, I heard its crakin' good

9 years ago 0

@vrudy6
vrudy6 commented

What I meant to say about comparing the 10 Glengoyne to the Glenmorangie 10, the compliments were to the Glengoyne, not the Glenmorangie.

9 years ago 0

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@vrudy6 I also had the vegetal note of which I am also not fond of. I also had a little bitter note fading whit air which was a good thing for me (the fading). So I am wondering if you also have a bitter note with the 12?

9 years ago 0

@vrudy6
vrudy6 commented

Not bitter whatsoever. There is a slight vegetal note, but only when sipped outside when it's mild and only when first opened. I just finished the bottle today, which I about two weeks opened and it was at its peak. There is more caramel now. Kinda like a Werther's original caramel candy with a kick. It's actually kinda soothing,super smooth!

9 years ago 0

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@vrudy6 thank you for the info. I will keep my eyes opened for that one.

Cheers!

9 years ago 0

@FMichael
FMichael commented

Finished a bottle of the 10 yr a few months ago, and truth be told I was indifferent...Was at one of my favorite liquor stores last night that I make an effort to go to every 5 to 6 months (great selection, and prices), and found this 12 yr expression for only $2 more than the 10 yr.

Long story short - I recall reading this review so I decided to give the 12 yr a shot, and I'm glad I did...Superior to it's younger 10 yr sibling.

9 years ago 0

@vrudy6
vrudy6 commented

Absolutely right. A big difference between the 10 and the 12. I can't wait to try their 17, or its new replacement, the 18. Which is starting to arrive at local liquor stores.

9 years ago 0

@FMichael
FMichael commented

Anyone familiar with the 15 yr Glengoyne?

I'm looking to purchase a bottle sometime soon, and hope it's more like the 12 yr, and less like the 10 yr.

9 years ago 0

@vrudy6
vrudy6 commented

Hardly see that one. The 17 is I see more frequently.

9 years ago 0