Glengoyne 8-year-old, Malt Scotch Whiskey (B.1973) / 43% / 0.75l

Glengoyne is undoubtedly one of Scotland's most unique distilleries.

‘Highland Lane’, the historic boundary between the Lowlands and the Highlands, runs through the estate and makes the whisky inter-regional – distilled in the Highlands and aged in the Lowlands. Glengoyne distills from malt that has been completely free of phenols, which, along with the mild climate, gives the whisky a ‘lowland’ rather than ‘highland’ character. The Glengoyne 8 year old on display here is an ‘old school’ whisky, distilled in the 1960s when the mill was owned by Lang Brothers, perhaps before Robertson & Baxter took over in 1965.

Nose: beautifully constructed, notes of sherry, oranges, apples, raisins, traces of blackcurrants and candied lemon peel, toffee, oak chips and a handful of herbs from the garden.

Taste: mild, perfectly balanced, raisins, dried figs and dates, walnuts, roasted chestnuts, traces of pepper and nutmeg, a bit of oak and sherry.

Finish: quite long, with notes of sherry, spices and oak.