Glenkinchie 12 Years Old (43%, OB, 2011)

• Category: Lowland single malts scotch whisky
• Origin: Glenkinchie Distillery
• Bottling: Diageo
• ABV: 43% ABV
• Cost: £35.45 available from Master of Malt & The Whisky Exchange

What they say

From the Diageo classic malts.

Glenkinchie, The Edinburgh Malt, is produced at Glenkinchie Distillery, Pencaitland established in 1837 by John and George Rate. It is situated beside the kinchie burn in the heart of East Lothian farmland. Over the gently rolling hills around glenkinchie some of the finest barley is grown.

This is my local single malt distillery [http://www.discovering-distilleries.com/glenkinchie/] and as such I have had the pleasure to visit it regularly but more about that later.

What I say

Diageo’s remaining active Lowland distillery is situated in the beautiful rolling hills of Pencaitland in East Lothian, just a stones throw from Edinburgh.

Tasting notes:

• Colour: Gold.
• Nose: Sherbet lemons, floral and malty with a hint of dry hay.
• Taste: Light lemon meringue pie with cereal malt and a hint of vanilla.
• Finish: Vaporous at first then gently warming and slightly drying with a lingering hint of citrus.

Would I buy it again

I’m not sure, it is very delicate and often looses out to some of the more complex whiskies I have. However over time I have grown to appreciate this more and more. Yes it is very drinkable but maybe a bit tame for my tastes. A good dram to have in the collection to offer to visitors though as it is inoffensive and the local malt. I would like to try the Distillers edition or perhaps more aged or finished versions of this malt.

Score 67/100

Don’t take my word for it:

Malt and Oak review Glenkinchie 12

TOModera’s Whisky Reviews Glenkinchie 12

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