Distilled by Glengoyne, this 21 year old release comes to us from the distillery with lofty promises of sherry heavy goodness. Matured entirely in sherry casks, predominantly composed of lots featuring first fill European Oak Sherry casks, there should be no shortage of flavor on this one despite the bottle proof of 43% ABV. No word on coloring or filtering, although it's quite dark - hopefully due to lots of delicious sherry character. Let's dive in.
Nose: Sherry, sherry, and some more sherry. Dried plums, green apple. Palate: Sherry definitely carries through. Mineral water, caramelized green apples, strawberry shortcake.
I’ll state this from the off - Glengoyne 21 year old is delicious. That out of the way, it’s worth highlighting the wonderful balance that’s been achieved between the sweeter notes and the deeper ones. High quality European oak has been used well here to add complexity and richness, whilst impressively still maintaining lightness and vivaciousness.
Wonderful Sherry finished dram. This dram is marvelously married, smooth yet complex. If you DON'T like heavy peaty Islay malts, but prefer a masterfully crafted dram where each step is meticulously and slowly completed then this dram should call for you.
This Glengoyne is mostly fruity, floral, and gently spicy. The finish could have been longer, but at the end of the day, this is a very successful whisky.
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House Review
Nose:
Bold, spicy: packed with ginger, sherry goodness, pound cake, toffee and a bold, stewed fruit character. Beyond enticing.
Taste:
Medium on the palate, enjoyable but far from a syrupy, extracted profile. There's no shame in some balance here, but it's a testament to what a bump in proof could do. Loaded with tobacco, cocoa, cherries and cream. Raisin bread, honey, vanilla bean, candied ginger, white pepper, orange peel and a thick, stewed fruits note on the finish.
Finish:
Long finish, this is the magic of the dram. Cocoa, caramel, apple pie, rich tannin, stewed fruits, nectarine, spiced peaches and candied ginger. An easy drinker that I could drink anytime.
Overall:
Glengoyne continues to eye greatness with release after release that delivers what sherry lovers adore and more. Great complexity, tons to taste and dig through, and I'm only left wondering if this could be a newly crowned great if the proof were just a touch higher.
