Glengoyne 21 Years Old

Whisky Review

• Category: Highland single malt Scotch Whisky
• Origin: Glengoyne distillery
• Bottling: Ian Macleod, OB
• ABV: 43%
• Cost: £125 from Glengoyne distillery shop

What they say

Christmas cake, honey and rich fruit – with a long cinnamon finish. Perfect after dinner, or frankly, anytime. We distil slower than anyone else in Scotland. Then we mature exclusively in hand-selected sherry casks, for twenty one character-building years.

Official tasting notes:

• Colour Deep Copper, meandering legs
• Nose Red apples, toffee, sherry, spicy strudel.
• Palate Lots of Sherry, honey, oak with a developing aromatic sensation. Ends with a heavenly cinnamon nip.
• Finish Long, sherry, spicy, warm and dry

What I say

Sampled during the live launch of the Glengoyne Teapot Dram Batch 6.

The 21 year old expression is exclusively matured in ex-sherry casks, including both 1st fill and refill casks, natural colour derived form cask maturation.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Ruby bronze (13/20), rare, large tears and long, medium legs.
• Nose: Chocolate-covered raisins, dried fruit, figs, oak wood, malted barley, dried raspberry and strawberry – chocolate dipped.
• Taste: Richly sherried fruits, raisin, blackberry, apple, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, molasses, toffee, malty, Christmas pudding flambeed with brandy and rich fruitcake.
• Finish: Long, dried fruit, malt, dark chocolate and dry old oak wood.

Overall

A sherry-packed dram with masses of sun-dried fruit and cocoa with just a hint of gentle spices. Comparing against the Teapot dram, the age of the 21 was apparent due to the old/dry and antique woody notes. Comparing with the 18 Year Old this has feels like it has much more 1st fill sherry cask influence. Possibly one of the best value-for-money 21 year old official bottlings available.

Score 90/100

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