This high-end Glengoyne 30 Years was first released in November 2017 as a limited edition. A batch of 13 casks was selected: one third of first-fill European oak sherry butts and two thirds refill sherry butts. Quite possibly the perfect recipe for old sherry bottlings, if you ask me.
I won’t talk about the packaging too much, but it comes in a wooden box with a rose gold plated cask bung. It will be repeated as a yearly release.
Glengoyne 30 yo
(46,8%, OB 2017, 6000 btl.)
Glengoyne 30 yoNose: truckloads of red plums, figs and juicy cherries. Lovely fruitiness including a nice tart edge. Blood oranges indeed. Fragrant raspberry jam. Rum raisins. Hints of leather, mint and a touch of jasmin or old roses. Beautiful freshness. Some ginger and cinnamon, nicely polished oak here.
Mouth: very rich, deeply sherried but always with this fruity character. Morello cherries, plums, raisins. Orange peel. Christmas cake. Cinnamon and all-spice – the oak is present but it doesn’t dominate in any way. Hints of chocolate and a little espresso. Fruit teas. Complex and elegant.
Finish: very long, velvety with drying oak spices and lingering fruits.
I love it when sherry bottlings bring out fruity notes instead of focusing on darker toffee / chocolate notes. So there you have it, this is my favourite official Glengoyne. Reminds me of that Malts of Scotland Diamond bottling – just delicious whisky. Available from Master of Malt. I had it at 93, but I hesitated.
Score: 92/100