Nowadays we’re often a bit disappointed when distilleries drop their whiskies below the 10 Years statement, which used to be a golden standard for entry-level malts for so long. However, let’s not forget there were plenty of 5-10 year old expressions in the 1970s and 1980s, especially in the Italian market (which is the place where single malts originated, in a way).
It’s safe to assume that this bottle of Glengoyne 8 Year Old also came from Italy. It is a Black Label bottling released in the early 1970s. Later that decade they switched to a different presentation, still with a black label.
Glengoyne 8 yo (43%, OB early 1970s)
Nose: a pleasant mix of sweet breakfast cereals with honey, oranges and light herbal notes. Some minty freshness, vanilla cake and apple pie. Light sherry notes such as figs and golden raisins. Just a hint of OBE (shoe polish and cardboard) and latte. Not very complex, but nicely balanced.
Mouth: rather thin, with a big grainy core. Actually I would have thought this was an old blend. Hints of spicy young wood, with some herbal tea and drops of cough syrup. Then it moves towards nutmeg, orange, toffee and cocoa.
Finish: medium length, mostly on grains and these old cardboard notes now. Apple peelings and marmalade too.
Really not bad. The grainy, rough edge is not uncommon. Remember these single malts were usually had with some ice (especially in Southern Europe). Better than the ever popular Glen Grant 5 Year Old from the same era, for instance. On the other hand we shouldn’t get sentimental: modern whisky is often better at this age.