Glengoyne Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Glengoyne single malt Scotch whisky is a Highland malt with a Lowland soul, celebrated for its unpeated spirit, slow distillation, and rich sherry-cask maturation. Founded in 1833 by George Connell, the distillery sits in a unique location at Dumgoyne, just north of Glasgow, with its stillhouse officially in the Highlands and its warehouses across the road in the Lowlands. This geographic quirk gives Glengoyne a distinctive identity, rooted in Highland tradition, yet influenced by Lowland finesse.

From its earliest days, Glengoyne has stood apart by avoiding the use of peat smoke to dry its barley. Instead, the malt is air-dried, producing a clean, sweet distillate free of the smoky phenols found in many other Highland and island whiskies. This allows the full influence of the barley, fermentation, and cask to shine through in the finished whisky.

Glengoyne is famous for its exceptionally slow distillation, claimed to be the slowest in Scotland, which maximises copper contact and encourages a smooth, viscous texture. The distillery uses traditional wooden washbacks for fermentation, producing a fruity wash that carries through into the spirit. Water is drawn from the nearby Campsie Fells, known for its purity and mineral balance.

Maturation is at the heart of Glengoyne’s style. The distillery is one of the most committed users of high-quality sherry casks in Scotland, sourcing much of its oak from Spain and seasoning it with oloroso sherry before filling it with new-make spirit. The combination of rich sherry influence and the spirit’s natural sweetness creates a house style marked by dried fruit, toffee, baking spice, and gentle nuttiness. American oak ex-bourbon casks are also used in some expressions, adding vanilla and citrus brightness.

The core range reflects this sherried richness:
• Glengoyne 10 Year Old - fresh green apple, toffee, and a touch of citrus.
• Glengoyne 12 Year Old - balanced oak spice, malt sweetness, and dried fruit.
• Glengoyne 18 Year Old - deep sherry influence, dark chocolate, and rich fruitcake.
• Glengoyne 21 Year Old - luxurious dried fruit, polished oak, and warming spice.

The distillery also offers cask strength releases, single cask bottlings, and older age statements up to 50 years old, each showcasing the elegance and depth that extended sherry maturation can deliver. Limited editions and special finishes further expand the flavour range while retaining the distillery’s signature unpeated character.

Independent bottlings of Glengoyne are relatively rare, as much of the spirit is bottled in-house. When available, they often highlight the fruit-forward and oily nature of the spirit in both bourbon and sherry casks.

Flavour-wise, Glengoyne typically offers aromas of apple, honey, and malt, layered with dried fruit and spice from sherry casks. The palate is smooth and full, with a balance of sweetness, oak, and gentle warmth, leading to a long, refined finish. Its elegant, approachable profile makes it an ideal whisky for those who appreciate depth without peat smoke.

Our Glengoyne Single Malt Scotch Whisky range includes everything from the crisp 10 Year Old to opulent older bottlings. Whether you’re exploring sherried Highland malts for the first time or seeking a refined addition to your collection, Glengoyne offers a masterclass in patience, craftsmanship, and natural flavour.