Introduction
I picked up the Glengoyne 15 Year Old on a recommendation from a friend who knows I enjoy slightly fruit-forward drams with a bit of structure. I’ve had a few different expressions from Glengoyne before and always appreciated the distillery’s slower distillation pace and unpeated style. This one stood out to me for its age and balance—it seemed like the right bottle for an easygoing evening that still calls for something thoughtful in the glass.
Nose
The nose opened up gently, not overly punchy at first, but layered. I got a mix of cooked apple, citrus peel, and a soft note of nuts—something like almond skin. There’s a hay-like freshness in the mix that reminds me of dried grass in warm weather. A light trace of vanilla and a bit of old, polished wood sits beneath it all. It’s well-integrated and you can tell some thought went into marrying the distillate and the cask influence.
Palate
On the palate, the initial impression was clean and slightly drying. I tasted green apple upfront, quickly followed by citrus, then baked pear with mild cinnamon. The oak makes itself known in the mid-palate—not overpowering, but adding a gentle bitterness and spice. There's also a waxy texture I associate with older Highland whiskies, which I really enjoyed. As it sat in the glass, a little more sweetness emerged—honey and soft caramel tones that rounded things out.
Finish
The finish leans medium-long. More apple comes through, along with a bit of lemon peel and spice—mostly nutmeg and a soft woodiness trailing through. It fades slowly and remains balanced throughout, without turning overly dry or tannic. Slight touches of toasted cereal and maybe even dried apricot pop up after a few minutes.
Price and Value
For a whisky that’s likely to cost around £60–£70, I think it holds up well. It offers a clear sense of maturity and craft, and it works both as an everyday dram and something to pour when I want to slow down a bit. It’s not showy, and it doesn’t need to be. This is a confident whisky that draws strength from its restraint and clarity.
Background
Glengoyne is a distillery that sits right on the boundary between the Highlands and Lowlands, though it’s technically considered a Highland producer. One thing I’ve always liked about Glengoyne is their commitment to unpeated spirit and a deliberately slow distillation process—which they say allows for more defined flavours to develop. The 15 Year Old comes from a mix of sherry-seasoned and refill bourbon casks. This split gives it both richness and freshness without leaning too far into either direction. It’s bottled at 43% ABV, which struck me as just right for the profile.
Final Notes
Would I choose this again? Absolutely—a solid 15-year-old that’s both approachable and nuanced. For someone just starting to explore single malt whisky, this would be a friendly introduction, though perhaps more rewarding for those already familiar with subtle Highland styles. I’d pair this with quiet evenings or dinners with old friends; it invites conversation without dominating it. Compared to other Highland whiskies in the same age range, Glengoyne 15 delivers more fruit and less smoke or spice—which makes it a refreshing change of pace if you're coming from peated or heavily oaked drams.