Origin: Highlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 40%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex sherry oloroso first fill
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Ian Macleod Distillers
Average price: € 55.00
Official website: www.glengoyne.com
Vote: 70/100
I bought this whisky in the Scottish Highlands from a travel retailer at Edinburgh airport after a nice ‘Scottish’ holiday in which I visited various distilleries. The choice was between a Glenmorangie 10 or this Glengoyne Cuartillo, which after much deliberation obviously won the Hamletic challenge.
I wanted a whisky from the Highlands, and this special edition made especially for travel retail and in a one-litre format won me over.
The bottling takes its name from a rural area in Jerez, Spain, with no age statement, and very nice packaging featuring the designs of characteristic Spanish tiles, all accompanied by the signature of distillery manager Robbie Hughes, so perfect for attracting tourists.
Matured in American oak casks that contained oloroso sherry, it’s the first bottling in the ‘Spirit of Oak’ series launched in 2018, which includes three others, all in former sherry: Balbaína, PX and the 28-year-old.
Tasting notes
The colour is gold with red highlights.
On the nose, the typical Highland scent with notes of green apple and yellow fruits such as pear, apricot and a slight hint of spice. The sherry, in truth, is not noticeable at all.
On the palate, the spices, with black pepper and cinnamon, are distinctly perceived, accompanied by particularly persistent malt and grain.
The finish is very balanced but not very long, in which the spicy aspect reigns again.
A whisky without any particular personality but drinkable, a Highland classic where unfortunately sherry seems not to have left much of a trace.