Whisky Forum - Cheaper alternative to Glengoyne 25

Wailin

Hi folks, very happy new year to you all! I was lucky enough to get a bottle of glengoyne 25 for Christmas and have enjoyed one or two drams, delicious stuff. Id like to save it for nice occasions and looking for something similar for more regular sipping. I'm guessing the obvious answer to a cheaper alternative would be glengoyne 21 but I'm open to other whiskies you might like to suggest?

James T · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 2788

Have you tried any of the Glengoyne Teapot Drams? It doesn't have the maturity that comes along with the 25 year old but an excellent big sherried expression of Glengoyne in my experience and you should be able to get it direct from the Glengoyne website.

Wailin · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 3:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks James, not something that ever crossed my mind and appreciate the recommendation. Pricewise its not much cheaper than the 21 though and i think it's the intense oak from the long maturation of the 25, along with the sherry, that makes it so interesting.

Crane · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 6:52 pm Post subject:

You may enjoy exploring the Glendronach range if you haven't already, the 12, 15, 18 and 21 are all good whiskies for the price you pay for them.

Innes · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:39 pm Post subject:

I cant comment on whether the Glengoyne 21 is a cheaper alternative to the 25 as I haven't had a bottle of the 25 but I can say that I rate the 21 very highly. I have heard good reviews of the Glengoyne 25 but its pricing put me off with it being more than double the price of the 21.

Drame Blanche · Double Malt Member Joined: 18 Aug 2018 Posts: 156

For my palate, the 21 isn't only a cheaper, but also a better alternative. In my mind it hits the right balance between fruitiness and age. But indeed it's subjective.

I agree with the teapot dram, I'd also recommend Kavalan Solist Sherry (Fino also is insane, but costs 3x).

Looking at slightly different things,. I'd also recommend Dailuaine 16 F&F as well as Aberlour 25 TWB, available at around Â£110 at auctions.

Wailin · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks all for the recommendations. I think the 21 is the obvious choice and only half the price of the 25. Glendronach 21 is something i haven't tried yet, would you rate it over the glengoyne? Purely to individual taste of course but I'd be interested in opinions between the two.

Mark · Master Of Malts Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 1614

I would rate both the Glengoyne 21 and Glendronach 21 very highly but wouldn't really rate one above the other, simply different. Given your liking of the Glengoyne 25 I would say go for the Glengoyne 21.

Wailin · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks Mark. I think my mind is made up!

TheWM · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:37 pm Post subject:

The parliament 21 is very, very good. I consistently score this 89+ The glengoyne isnâ€™t as good IMO and I too think that the 25 is over rated.

Wailin · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 1:53 pm Post subject:

Not over rated for me, one of the nicest whiskies I've ever had! I have Glendronach 18 allardice and there is no comparison.

deadz101 · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:34 pm Post subject:

I too prefer the glendronach 21 to their 18. Their 12 yo is very decent too for not very much. I tried the glengoyne 25 over the festive period for the first time. I thought it was decent but it was pinned up against a Macallan Oscuro and a Glendronach 30yo single cask, so it was good but not as good as either of them. Tbh, the Macallan edition 4 isnâ€™t too far off the glengoyne, imho.

TheWM · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:01 pm Post subject:

Wailin · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:56 pm Post subject:

I think the best solution is to order a sample of both from MoM. Both fabulous 21 year olds Im sure but the glengoyne 21 is a good deal cheaper than glendronach. Thanks for the advice all.