Glengoyne 21 Year Old is one of the most iconic single malt Scotch whiskies on the market today. This expression from Glengoyne Distillery in Scotland has been aged for an impressive 21 years in a combination of Spanish ex-Sherry Oloroso and American ex-Bourbon casks. The result is an incredibly complex whisky that has a balance betwen sweet, fruity and spicy notes.
This whisky starts off smooth and creamy, with notes of honey, apricot and orange. As it opens up, hints of spice, toasted oak and leather reveal themselves. On the palate, Glengoyne 21 Year Old delivers a complex mixture of flavors including dried fruit, sweet vanilla, brown sugar and cinnamon. The finish is long and full-bodied with notes of dark chocolate and subtle smokiness.
Overall, this whisky is an example of what great aging can do for a single malt Scotch whisky. Its complexity makes it an ideal choice for special occasions or simply to apreciate alone over time. With its rich flavor profile and long finish, Glengoyne 21 Year Old is truly a pleasure to drink.
Tasting Notes for Glengoyne Whisky
Glengoyne is a smooth, sweet single malt Scotch whisky with distinct toffee and popcorn aromas. On the palate, it has a light nuttiness that is complemented by fresh green apple flavors and hints of grass and oak. A subtle sweetness of liquorice lingers in the finish.
What Is The Best Scotch For Smooth Drinking?
The smoothest scotch to drink is the Ballantine's Finest Blended Scotch Whisky. This blended whisky is made with 40 of Scotland's finest single malt and grain whiskies, creating a perfectly balanced, richly flavored and exceptionally smooth blend. It has a light nose of honey, spice and citrus, as well as rich flavors of caramel, butterscotch, wood and sherry. The finish is soft and creamy with lingering hints of sweet fruits. This whisky is perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks and makes an excellent base for cocktails.
The Rarest Scotch: An Exploration
The rarest Scotch whisky is undoubtedly the Macallan 1926 60 Year Old Single Malt, designed by Valerio Adami. This rare and sought-after whisky was released in 1986 and is limited to only 40 bottles. It was made from whisky distilled in 1926, making it one of the oldest whiskies ever bottled. Each bottle is individually numbered and features a label painted by Italian artist Valerio Adami. The whisky has been described as havig a “rich, intense aroma” with notes of dried fruits, chocolate and gingerbread. Its taste is said to be sweet, smoky, and deep with notes of dried figs, dates, and prunes. This extremely rare whisky has become one of the most collectible spirits in the world and regularly sells for upwards of $1 million when it surfaces for auction.
Conclusion
Glengoyne 21 Year Old is a Scotch whisky that's been in production since 1996. For the last 10 years, it has been matured entirely in the ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks that you see pictured above. Most Scotch whisky is matured in sherry casks, which are used to impart a sherry-like character to the spirit. This can include fruity, nutty, and caramel flavors and aromas which are all factors that go into making this whisky so distinctive. By contrast, bourbon barrels are the most common type of bourbon whiskey used for aging whiskey. These are typically made from a combination of American and Canadian oak and impart a vanilla, oak, and spicy character to the whisky. To top it off, Glengoyne 21 Year Old is bottled at an incredibly old age of 21 years. That's when the Scotch whisky was first distilled and therefore when it will have the most complex flavors to offer.
