Glenkinchie 20 Year Old Diageo Special Releases 2007

Ah, a golden oldie from Glenkinchie from the Diageo Special Releases of 2007, so it's been in the bottle for a while. The first ten years this Lowlander spent on refill American oak and then another ten years on brandy barrels.

That brandy is already prominent on the nose with aromas of tropical fruits and wood. Some more caramel and vanilla, which makes it seem rather simple at first glance. But appearances are deceiving! Soon I am taken in by notes of the better cognac, grapes and overripe apples. The wood also provides some nice spicy notes. Take your time for this!

Orchard fruit comes first, followed by quite a few herbs from the wood. The alcohol percentage makes your tongue tingle for a moment, but once the malt has settled in, the party begins. Apples, pears, grapes, but also toffee and peppers. Sweet grapes rear their heads, something of citrus all the way in the background. Nice dash of pepper, too. Again I am pleasantly surprised by an association with good cognac. Great balance. Delicious!

The finish is not very long, but long enough. Nice and spicy until the end, where the fruit speaks for itself one last time. Think mandarin and apple. And on the deathbed suddenly something that reminds me of mustard, even if only for a moment.

Complex and captivating Glenkinchie, for sure! But you have to take your time for it. This is only my 12th Glenkinchie, but one of the tastiest I've already tried!

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