Last Updated on: 22nd April 2024, 08:26 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
With the assistance of Scotch expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer feedback, I have reviewed and ranked every Glengoyne release and determined which is the best.
Find the best for You!
Written by: J Highland
Choosing the Best Glengoyne
Easy-drinking Introduction: Glengoyne 10 (Vanilla, Peach, Apple)
For the Spirited Explorer (Bold): Glengoyne Cask Strength (Sherry, Spice, Oak)
Everyday Smoothness: Glengoyne 12 (Caramel, Sherry, Oak)
Affordable Oaky Choice: Glengoyne 15 (Cheerios, Oak, Caramel)
Vibrant Sherry-Kissed: Glengoyne 18 (Dark Fruit, Citrus, Spice) – Great value!
Spicy Twist on Sherry: Glengoyne 21 (Ripe Fruit, Oak, Ginger) – Unique & Complex
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Quick Look at the Glengoyne Range of Whiskies
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Glengoyne 10 | $52 |
| Glengoyne Cask Strength | $85 |
| Glengoyne 12 | $61 |
| Glengoyne 15 | $79 |
| Glengoyne 18 | $157 |
| Glengoyne 21 | $225 |
Glengoyne 10: A Delightful Introduction to Single Malt Scotch
- Nose: Vanilla, peach, apple, cookie dough
- Palate: Caramel, honey, apple, almond, apple
- Finish: Short, oak spice, cinnamon, malt
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Glengoyne 10 offers a delicate nose of vanilla, fruit, and a hint of sweetness. The taste is warming and pleasant, featuring caramel, honey, and spice. While the finish is short, it lingers with oak and spice notes.
This award-winning Highland single malt is a great value, offering more character and depth than similar whiskies in its range. It’s a clean and easy-drinking dram, making it a perfect introduction to the Glengoyne distillery, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Glengoyne Cask Strength: Bold Sherry & Spice for the Spirited Explorer
- Nose: Ripe fruit, sherry, oak
- Palate: Sherry, plum, brown sugar, baking spice
- Finish: Long, baking spice, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 120 proof (60% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Glengoyne Cask Strength isn’t for the faint of heart. This bold dram packs a warming punch with intense sherry, plum, spice, and oak flavors. The creamy mouthfeel complements the robust profile, leaving a lasting impression.
While the high proof hints at its youth, it delivers impressive flavor at a competitive price for cask-strength whiskies. Buckle up for a bold and spicy adventure!
Glengoyne 12: Smooth & Balanced Highland Whisky for Everyday Enjoyment
- Nose: Toasted barley, apples, honey
- Palate: Caramel, sherry, oak, vanilla
- Finish: Long, coffee, vanilla, oak
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Glengoyne 12 offers a delightful nose of honey, toasted barley, and fresh apple. The taste is creamy and full-bodied, with sweet caramel, sherry, and a touch of oak spice. The finish lingers with coffee, vanilla, and a hint of Glengoyne’s signature bite.
This award-winning Highland single malt is a great choice for everyday enjoyment. It’s easy-drinking and well-balanced, offering smooth, sweet flavors without overwhelming complexity. It stands out for its quality and goes beyond the average in its category.
Cheerios Anyone? Glengoyne 15: Affordable Oaky Delight
- Nose: Cheerios, vanilla, caramel, oak
- Palate: Oak, sherry, roasted nuts, caramel, lemon peel
- Finish: Medium, caramel, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Glengoyne 15 offers a unique nose of Cheerios cereal with hints of vanilla, caramel, and oak. The palate is thick and creamy, dominated by oak but revealing touches of sherry, nuts, and citrus. The finish is moderate with lingering caramel and oak spice.
This affordable 15-year-old is a solid choice for those who enjoy unpeated whiskies. It prioritizes value over complexity, offering a pleasant experience at a fair price.
Glengoyne 18: A Vibrant & Bold Sherry-Kissed Dram
- Nose: Ripe fruit, vanilla, honey, raisins, sherry
- Palate: Dark fruits, oak, orange zest, ripe fruit
- Finish: Long, ripe fruit, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Glengoyne 18 isn’t your average 18-year-old. This sherry-kissed single malt boasts a vibrant nose of fruit, vanilla, honey, and raisin. The taste is bold and full-bodied, showcasing dark fruits, citrus, and a touch of spice. The finish is well-balanced, lingering with subtle heat and complexity.
This award-winning dram stands out for its unique character. Compared to other 18-year-olds, it offers a more traditional profile with a touch of boldness, appealing to those who prefer a less sweet and smoother whisky. Glengoyne 18 delivers a superior experience to Glenlivet 18 and Glenfiddich 18 at a more attractive price.
Glengoyne 21: Sherry-Kissed Delight with a Spicy Twist
- Nose: Ripe fruit, oak, vanilla, orange peel
- Palate: Ripe fruit, vanilla, oak, orange peel, ginger
- Finish: Long, baking spice, clove, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Glengoyne 21 offers a captivating nose of ripe fruit, vanilla, and orange peel with a hint of oak. The rich and full-bodied taste features ripe fruit and vanilla alongside oak, orange, and a surprising touch of ginger spice. The finish is surprisingly bold for a 21-year-old, lingering with a delightful mix of baking spices, oak, clove, and a satisfying warmth.
This award-winning single malt delivers the best of both worlds: the sweetness of a sherry cask and intriguing bitter notes for added complexity. Aged entirely in first-fill sherry casks, it boasts a unique and satisfying flavor profile at a reasonable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Criteria Were Used to Evaluate Glengoyne Whiskies?
- Expert Reviews: Opinions from Scotch critics.
- Taste Testing: Personal tasting experiences with Glengoyne expressions.
- Consumer Feedback: Insights from Scotch enthusiasts and whisky aficionados.
Is Glengoyne Considered a Quality Whisky Brand?
- Yes, Glengoyne is highly regarded for its quality and distinctive character, appreciated by whisky enthusiasts for its authentic and natural approach to whisky production.
What Distinguishes Glengoyne from Other Scotch Whiskies?
- Glengoyne is unique for its use of non-chill filtering, absence of artificial coloring, exclusive use of high-quality golden promise barley, and producing unpeated single malt whiskies.
How Does Glengoyne’s Lack of Peat Influence Its Flavor?
- The absence of peat smoke in Glengoyne whiskies results in a flavor profile that is distinctively smooth and rich, differing from the typical smoky character found in many Scotch whiskies.
What is Unique About Glengoyne’s Production Process?
- Glengoyne uses golden promise barley, air-dries the barley, and utilizes a long fermentation process in pine washbacks, followed by distillation in copper-pot stills, contributing to its unique sweet and concentrated flavors.