Glengoyne 12 Year

N: Light, slightly ethanol-y. Cereals abound as barely sugar and fresh bread, gentle savoury oak and crisp apples and peaches. Eminently simple and enjoyable in equal measure. P: A little thin, slightly creamy. As for the nose cereal is forward along with the same definitive crunch of crisp orchard fruits. Oak is lending a touch of spice and warmth to an otherwise slightly bland and overly simple palate. Theres an obligatory vanilla in the backing from the bourbon casking, but thats it. This is a one two punch of cereal and simple fruit and its done. F: Short. A little ethanol prickle, a little sour lemon maybe? Gristy cereal to the close. I have little to say on this, because there is little to say on this. An entry level whisky with an overly inflated price and nothing to my mind to offer past a generic yet quaffable pour. Distiller whisky taste #287 [Pictured here with a cobble of blue schist from Cazadero, California. I am a carbonate (limestone) geologist by discipline and research pedigree. If I did it all over again, these kind of rocks would be my jam. Blueschists are what you get when you metamorphose basalt at high pressure at relatively low temperature; the product of ocean crust subducting below another tectonic plate these rocks transform from black to blue. Generally returned to the surface by complex and geologically violent tectonics they tend to be streaked and mingled with other things. Here this cobble is mostly blue (glaucophane) and studded with red garnets and green or silvery micas.] Glengoyne running scores: Glengoyne 12: 2.75/5

It’s been a long time since I had Glengoyne. It was a 17 years and it was great! I don’t think they have that anymore, but this 12 years is very good. Its color is light amber, it’s natural color, which shows their integrity, but I’m not sure if it’s unchilled filtered. On the nose: The lemon zest is strong, combined with honey notes and sweet cereal / lemon sugar cookies. On the back there are subtle hints of green apple. There’s a bit more on its sweet aroma that is towards vanilla, but the lemon/lime zest is intense. Palate: More towards sweet cereal, lemon cake, but its finish goes towards roasted coconut and candied peanut. So interesting! Added a bit of water On the nose - the complexity and sugary notes went away. Very lemon zest forward with a bit of honey. On the palate - interestingly enough, it’s more sugary. The zest is replaced by the cereal and lemon shortcake. A lot easier to drink, roasted coconut and peanut finish with a prolonged lemon cake taste. What about toffee and chocolate they hint in the bottle? Let’s just say either my nose and palate is not developed enough or the bottle was just opened and it needs to rest a little. But overal is very delightful! Cheers!

Has a strong barley quality to the initial smell, that somewhat masks the vanilla and honey. Also getting apple and pear on the first smell. No smokiness at all. After it’s had some time to breath, the vanilla and caramel flavors shine through. Taste had a oak woody quality, with spice and a moderate-strong alcoholic finish. But like the nose, this improves with time. Taste becomes quite light and airy. Sweet apple.

A balanced, Single Malt Whiskey from Highlands, Scotland aged 12 years in first-fill European sherry and American bourbon casks. It has a delicate birth with notes of grains, wood, fruits, herbs & spices; while a balanced life added notes of toffee apple, ginger, cinnamon & citrus zest; that led to a long barley death with a touch of oak. June / August 2025

In regards to whiskey, this was my first love. During COVID I was stuck like everyone with nothing to do, so I began getting into learning about liquor and wine. This scotch came highly recommended by every reviewer. That's because it's amazing, and underrated. The fact that they're not more well known is a shame. For $60, this can't be beat.

Sweet and barley aroma. Very light spice as well. Powerful and rich on the tongue. Lots of fejir, green apple and maybe pear. Pineapple. Hint if sweet was from the sherry. The more I drink the more vanilla comes through. Excellent blend of powerful flavors, but a bit too fiery. Slightly unbalanced. Richness helps, still very good.