Glengoyne 10 Year

After hearing really good things about the Glengoyne distillery I noticed a 3 malt, age statement sample pack at one of the online stores I regularly make purchases from. This pack was only $17 and included 2oz pours of the 10, 15 and 18 year old. I figured now was as good of a time as any to give them a go. Let’s start with the 10. This particular sample was listed as the 40% ABV and not the standard 43%. Hmm, I wonder why. They advertise no added coloring, but I’m sure it is chill filtered. It’s shiny gold and will leave thick, runny legs and big drops behind in your tasting glass of choice. The nose is honey and fresh cut lumber right from the sawmill. There’s cereal notes, light florals and butterscotch. All things you’ve come to expect from a Lowland distillery’s standard whisky. Extra time in the glass doesn’t hurt nor help this one- so get to sipping. The palate brings the butterscotch, toffee, faint sherry sweetness and cereal notes to your tastebuds, but does leave some light, black pepper spice and a hint of oak and barley lingering into the finish. It’s exceptionally smooth for a 10 year old, no doubt. The finish is pretty short, while remaining smooth and light. There’s more oak left behind than sweetness and it eventually turns peppery and dry. While it’s nothing earth shattering, it is very good for a baseline, 10 year old single malt. I could see it adding some bite to any light cocktail you make out of it and there’s no reason why you can’t pour it over ice and make a chilled sipper out of it. This pour cost me $6 and that’s about all I’d be willing to spend on it. Hopefully, the 15 & 18 will add some depth and complexity when I get around to sampling those. 3 stars and no worries. Cheers, my friends.

lighter taste and color, but smooth. not a heavy aftertaste

Very smooth. Buttery. Like a premium glenlivet.

Similar to Aberlour 12 with less citrus and more sherry.