This is the latest batch of Glengoyne Cask Strength. It matured in a combination of first fill Oloroso casks, refill casks and a small selection of bourbon barrels.
Glengoyne is one of these distilleries that were really proud to focus on sherry casks, and still try to underexpose the usage of bourbon barrels, but can’t ward them off entirely either.
I believe the last batch I tried was probably Batch 4.
Glengoyne Cask Strength (59,5%, OB 2023, Batch #010)
Nose: starts malty and porridgy, opening up to juicy pears and baked apples. Gets brighter after a while, with nice peaches and a balsamic touch. Hints of vanilla and candied orange peels with a modern woody edge. Sour (cran)berries. Hints of strawberries and cream, as well as butterscotch.
Mouth: still very malty, with a grassy side. Bitter oranges, ginger and white pepper, as well as walnuts and cinnamon. Still a slightly sour undertone of apple and unripe blackberry. Fruit cake and light charred notes. The sherry mostly lends leafy and leathery notes.
Finish: medium length, with more walnuts, nutmeg and autumn leaves.
This is a fairly modern, slightly sketchy profile. The ABV makes it quite hot and dry, trying to make up for the relatively low complexity. Not bad, but I never found it unmissable either. Available from The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt for instance.