Glenkinchie 12 år Single Lowland Malt Whisky 43%

The Lowlands have only a handful of distilleries left, and Glenkinchie is the one Diageo put into the Classic Malts to represent the region. The twelve year old is the house expression.

The expert's description

Glenkinchie 12 Year is a Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 43%.

The style is light and dry with flowers and citrus, as Lowland malt traditionally is. The distillery moved from a ten year old to the twelve because the two extra years in oak gave more vanilla and a rounder middle.

Glenkinchie lies in a glen by the Kinchie Burn near Pencaitland in East Lothian, about fifteen miles from Edinburgh. The distillery is surrounded by farmland, and the barley has never had far to travel.

Tasting notes

Nose

Lemon, grass and meadow flowers with a note of vanilla and pale grain.

Palate

Light and dry with citrus, malt and vanilla. There is a mild sweetness through the middle and a touch of spice, but no weight.

Finish

Medium length, dry and lightly grassy with a hint of oak.

Specifications

Name: Glenkinchie 12 Year Single Lowland Malt Whisky 70 cl 43%
Distillery: Glenkinchie
Region/Country: Lowland, Scotland
Type: Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Range: Classic Malts of Scotland
EAN no.: 5000281021935

Flavour profile

Light · Floral · Citrus · Vanilla · Dry

Did you know?

The name Kinchie is a corruption of De Quincy, the family who originally owned the land. The distillery sits in the glen by the Kinchie Burn, and both burn and distillery still carry a name nobody spells correctly any more.

See our full range of Glenkinchie

Frequently asked questions about Glenkinchie 12 Year

What marks out a Lowland whisky?

It is typically light, dry and floral without smoke. Glenkinchie is the textbook example and is often used as the first malt people taste.

Is it smoky?

No. There is no peat smoke in Glenkinchie 12 Year, which is one reason it works so well as an entry whisky.

What are the Classic Malts?

A Diageo range of six distilleries, each representing a whisky region. Glenkinchie is the Lowland entry in that range.

Why twelve years and not ten?

Because the two extra years in oak gave more vanilla and a rounder flavour. The ten year old was phased out once the difference was noticed.

Is it good for beginners?

Yes. It is mild at 43%, with no smoke and no heavy sherry, and the flavour is easy to follow from the first sip.

Has it won anything?

Yes. It was named Best Lowland Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards in 2013.

What do you drink it with?

It works as an aperitif before a meal, where heavier malts would take up too much room. See the rest of the selection in our Scotch Whisky section.