Launched in February 2020, this limited edition Glengoyne ‘Duncan’s Dram’ was bottled in honour of the assistant distillery manager Duncan McNicoll, who retired in January.
Duncan started as a mashman in 1977 and was now asked to select one whisky from the warehouses. He picked an American oak sherry butt distilled in April 2002.
Glengoyne 17 yo 2002 ‘Duncan’s Dram’ (57,3%, OB 2020, American oak sherry butt #561, 520 btl.)
Nose: nicely balanced between American oak notes (custard, vanilla and a bit of sawdust) and fruits (apple pie, plums, peaches). Pepper and nutmeg, as well as some minty notes – more bourbonny than sherried I would say. A light whiff of marshmallows too.
Mouth: really peppery and gingery now, plenty of oak spice followed by big citrusy notes (lemons, grapefruits) as well as a clear hint of cotton candy. Underlying sweetness. Some peaches and oranges, with hints of bergamot. Brioche and brown sugar towards the end.
Finish: medium, on sawdust and fruit eau-de-vie.
Definitely not a bad whisky, but more marked by the American oak than by the sherry. Still available from the distillery shop for around € 210, frankly a bit too much for what it has to offer in my opinion.