Whisky Focus - Glengoyne 35 Year Old

Glengoyne has announced the release of a rare 35 year old limited edition expression of their Highland malt. Only 500 decanters of the rare whisky will be available for sale globally.

As you can see from the image above the Glengoyne 35 year old is presented in a bespoke hand-blown crystal decanter which to me looks very similar in style to the now sold out Glengoyne 40 year old decanter. The decanter has been engraved with gold inlay and is individually numbered on its gold collar. Presented in a solid oak lacquered gull wing box with a stitched ‘Bentley Red’ leather interior and base, the gift box also comes complete with an individually numbered leather book, which tells the story of the brand.

The Glengoyne core range which was revamped around this time last year and the Glengoyne 40 year old which was released around 5 years ago all received very mixed reviews, I was lucky enough to have a few drams of the 40 year old and personally I thought it was an excellent big sherried, big oaky dram (perhaps a little too heavy on the oak for some tastes). Hopefully this new Glengoyne 35 year old expression will match the quality of its older sibling and if the oak has been toned down a little which it may have been having spent 5 years less in the cask it could potentially be superb. If I ever get the chance to taste the new 35 year old I will certainly let you know what I think.

Glengoyne tell me that the new 35 year old expression has been crafted from some of the finest sherry casks within Glengoyne’s traditional dunnage warehouses. Bottled at 46.8% ABV and natural colour. Glengoyne 100% dries its malted barley using only warm air (never peat) resulting in this extremely subtle yet complex malt where all the delicate flavours are freely expressed.

Commenting on the new Glengoyne, Neil Boyd, Director of Malt Whiskies for Ian Macleod Distillers, said: "The Glengoyne 35 year old is an exceptionally rare whisky. Distilled in the 1970’s and 35 years in the making, this rich malt is golden in colour with tropical fruit intensity and a liquorice and dark chocolate finish. It’s truly outstanding and the beautifully designed packaging is in-keeping with the distinct, premium and stylish design of the enhanced Glengoyne brand collection, launched last year."

The Glengoyne 35 year old will be available from this month with a RRP of £2,850.
 

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