Glengoyne 12 year Single Highland Malt Whisky 43%

The distillery sits on the Highland boundary itself. The pot stills stand in the Highlands while the casks mature across the road in the Lowlands — same address, two regions.

The expert's description

Glengoyne 12 Year is a Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a combination of first fill bourbon and sherry casks along with refill casks, bottled at 43%.

Around forty percent of the casks are first fill and the rest are refill. That balance gives the whisky more weight than the ten year old without making it heavy, and the 43% gives it a little more body in the glass.

The malt is unpeated like the rest of the range. Without smoke it is citrus peel, coconut and sherry that carry the flavour, making this one of the more fruity twelve year olds from the Highlands.

Tasting notes

Nose

Lemon zest, coconut and shortbread with toffee apple. Sherry, ginger and vanilla behind it.

Palate

Round and malty with dried fruit, nuts and soft oak. The sherry is clear but does not lie over everything.

Finish

Medium length and lightly spiced with nuts, malt and a dry oak note.

Specifications

Name: Glengoyne 12 Year Single Highland Malt Whisky 43%
Distillery: Glengoyne
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill bourbon and sherry casks plus refill casks
EAN no.: 5010852026641

Flavour profile

Unpeated · Citrus · Sherried · Nutty · Round

Did you know?

Glengoyne distils in the Highlands and matures in the Lowlands. The Highland boundary runs under the road in front of the distillery, so the warehouses on the other side technically sit in a different whisky region than the pot stills.

See our full range of Glengoyne

Frequently asked questions about Glengoyne 12 Year

What is the difference between the ten and the twelve?

The casks and the strength. The twelve year old has more first fill casks and sits at 43% against 40%. It is rounder, with more sherry and body.

Is it smoky?

No. The whole range is unpeated, because the malt is dried with warm air rather than peat smoke.

What does first fill mean?

That the cask has not held Scotch whisky before. It gives more colour and flavour from the wood, while refill casks are gentler and let the spirit take up more room.

Why does the distillery sit in two regions?

Because the Highland boundary runs under the road in front of the site. The pot stills stand north of the road in the Highlands, while the warehouses lie south of it in the Lowlands.

Should I add water?

At 43% it is not necessary, but a couple of drops can open up the citrus and coconut notes. Taste it neat first.

Who owns Glengoyne?

Ian Macleod Distillers, who took over the distillery in 2003. They also own Tamdhu and a number of Scotch whisky brands.

What suits it?

A quiet evening, or the close of a meal. See the rest of the selection in our Scotch Whisky section.