Glengoyne 18 Year

Scotland, September 2017. Whisky #2, distillery tasting. Nose: A robust but elegant nose that features good sherry, vanilla, raisins, coffee, chocolate and dried mixed peel. There are also oak and spice notes but they form a more subtle backbone. There is complexity and the nose develops with time to rest and a drop or two of water. Palate: Full and large arrival with raisins, sultanas, figs, morello cherries, walnut skins and vine leaves. It’s a classic oloroso sherry palate. Spicy notes of ginger and cinnamon appear in the development with orange marmalade, toffee and cocoa. The texture is good. Finish: Medium/long. The big sherried palate morphs slowly into an herbal finale that is dry and slightly tannic. This is a rich, full bodied dram that has good heft and mouthfeel. It tasted to me very much like the big brother of Glengoyne 12 with all the same features present but rounded out and completed by an extra 6 years in quality sherry casks. I thought it had less in common with the Glengoyle 15 year. ADDENDUM - The above notes were based on a dram tasted at the distillery a week ago. Having just finished a miniature of it my opinion is still positive and has maybe even increased. It’s a poised, "classic" whisky that I'd particularly recommend to novice whisky drinkers who are ready to move on from introductory drams. However as much as I enjoyed it both times I have no desire to buy a bottle. "Very Good" : 85/100 (4 stars)

Nose sherry strawberry alcohol orange pith. Taste milk chocolate, sweet, oily, Sherry, nuts, mildly spicy finish medium but milk chocolate stays a long time

Floral bouquet, with lemongrass and honey on the nose. The palate is a mouthwatering combination of fruit and oak spice, with citrus, vanilla and hint of toffee. Finish is relatively short, but enjoyable overall.