Glengoyne 10 Year Old Scotch Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

Situated an hour’s drive northwest of Glasgow, Glengoyne is a Highlands distillery, but only just. It’s the southernmost distillery of the Highlands region. Owned by Ian Macleod Distillers since 2003, it’s a small, farm-style distillery with one wash and two spirit stills with boil bulbs and a style rooted in long-period fermentation, which combine to produce a light and fruity new make malt whisky. The malt is matured in a series of dunnage warehouses found on the same property.

Glengoyne 10 is the entry-level expression for the distillery. Oddly, the next step up in the line is a 12 year old, a short jump. Many lines begin at 10 or 12 years, but the next step is typically 15 in either instance. Springbank, for example, goes from 10 to 12 to 15, but the 12 in the middle is a cask strength expression, not bottled at regular potency. Aged in ex-bourbon and ex-Sherry casks, it is bottled at 40% ABV.

The Scotch
My pour of Glengoyne took on a bright yellow coloring in the glass. The nose was honey sweet with a strong current of lemon drops, seasoned by dry grass. The liquid had an oily mouthfeel, but a light oiliness, making it feel delicate. The flavor was like having lemon zest-infused honey smeared on an oat cookie, with a pinch of anise seeds sprinkled on top. The finish ran for a brief spell down the track with dry wood.

The Price
Expect to pay £40 in the UK and $60 in the US.