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Glengoyne Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Glengoyne Distillery, Dumgoyne,
Near Killearn, Glasgow G63 9LB Scotland
Tel: +44 (0)1360 550 254 / Fax: +44 (0)1360 550 094
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The Glengoyne Distillery is situated in a wooded valley in the southern Highlands of Scotland close to a small river that flows into the famous Loch Lomond. The distillery, which takes its name from "Glen Guin" or Glen of the Wild Geese, has been producing an exceptional single malt scotch whisky for nearly 200 years.

Glengoyne is one of the few distilleries producing whisky in this part of Scotland today. However at the beginning of the nineteenth century it is recorded that at least eighteen whisky stills were in operation in this area. But these, like many others at that time, were illegal. Whisky producers were forced to produce whisky illicitly as they were unable to pay the heavy taxes imposed by the government on spirit production to fund wars against France. Smuggling became rife and the hills and glens around Glengoyne formed a perfect cover for this lawless activity.

It was not until the 1820s that an Act of Parliament was passed reducing the duty on spirit and the cost of a licence to distil which put an end to illegal production. This gave rise to a rush of stills being legalised including those at Glengoyne in 1833. It is reputed that Glengoyne was one of only a few stills to be licensed in the southern Highlands due to the high quality of whisky it produced.

Sir Walter Scott’s novels capture the romance and intrigue of this period in Scottish history. In particular with his character, Rob Roy, who was renowned for cattle thieving and other activities and is believed to have once escaped the law by hiding in an oak tree just 300 metres from the Glengoyne Distillery.

Glengoyne, working continually since it was founded, was first-owned by George Connell who erected a distillery and took a lease on the surrounding land; he also built a warehouse which is still very much in use today. In 1876, the Lang Brothers from neighbouring Glasgow bought the distillery and ownership still remains in Scottish hands with the Edrington Group taking over the distillery in the 1960s and the Independent, Scottish, family owned business, Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. acquiring the distillery in 2003.

The changes in ownership have done little to affect production of Glengoyne Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky as the traditional working methods have been passed from generation to generation. This unique malt is available in a number of different expressions to cater for different tastes. Unlike most other single malts Glengoyne has been preserving the essence of its flavour for decades by using air-dried barley rather than barley dried using harsh peat smoke. The result is a more subtle, complex whisky in which all of the delicate flavours are freely allowed to express themselves.

Courtesy of Glengoyne

GLENGOYNE 10 YEAR OLD HIGHLAND SINGLE
MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
 
GLENGOYNE 10 YEAR OLD HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

A great introduction to The Real Taste of Malt, this is remarkably smooth and fiendishly approachable – here lies great testimony to the benefits of SLOW distillation. Packed with sweet fruits created through prolonged copper contact in the Still.

Unlike most other single malts Glengoyne has been preserving the essence of its flavour for decades by using air-dried barley rather than barley dried using harsh peat smoke. The result is a more subtle, complex whisky in which all of the delicate flavours are freely allowed to express themselves.


Tasting Notes

Appearance: Golden yellow. Clear and bright

Nose: Sweet, with toffee and popcorn aromas. Slightly nutty, with fresh green apples coming through

Mouthfeel: Warming

Initial Taste: Clean. Green apples and grass with a hint of sweet liquorice

After Water: Sweeter. Linseed oil and almonds.

Finish: Sweet and malty

Comments: Great introduction to Glengoyne range.


Notes & Photo Courtesy of Glengoyne Distillery

GLENGOYNE 17 YEAR OLD HIGHLAND SINGLE
MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

GLENGOYNE 17 YEAR OLD SINGLE HIGHLAND MALT SCOTCH  
GLENGOYNE 17 YEAR OLD HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Glengoyne's distinctive style carries on improving with age. The same lements are present at 17 years old as they were at 10, only now the balance has artfully changed. A more concentrated, equally well-balanced palate of flavours has emerged, though it still retains the same clean, delicate taste as the 10 Years Old.

Appearance: Medium gold with a rich glow.

Nose: Some sherry, Christmas pudding. Plenty of fruit - raisins, ripe apples and tinned oranges in syrup.

Mouthfeel: Rich, mouth-coating.

Initial taste: Malty, treacle, slightly nutty. Orange peel, apple compot. Rich oak.

After Water: Pear Drops and vanilla.

Finish: Long and rich, with spicy oak.

Comments: Multi award winning dram. One of the greats. Possibly the best pound for pound dram on the market.


Notes & Photo Courtesy of Glengoyne Distillery

GLENGOYNE VINTAGE 1972 HIGHLAND SINGLE
MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
  Glengoyne Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
GLENGOYNE VINTAGE 1972 HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

The year 1972 was a significant year in our history - Polaroid launched the world's first instant camera, the pocket calculator was invented, Nike sold its first pair of running shoes and Glengoyne laid down some exquisite casks of their Highland Single Malt for maturation. These have now been bottled and are ready for sale!

Tasting Notes

Colour/appearance: A natural pale, yet bright Imperial gold. The light syrupy smoothness creates slowly forming legs on the glass which slowly meander.

Nose: The fruitiness of bananas, sweeties and fruit punch combine with the rich, yet subtle floral notes of apple blossom and elderflower, followed by nectarine and grapefruit with hints of vanilla pod and dry oak wood.

Taste/body: Light and syrup smooth at first with hints of liquorice and a spicy sweetness, followed by a ladder of delicate lemon peel and light cashew to reach new heights with an explosion of rich honeycomb sweetness and light oak. The aftertaste is dry and sweet, leading to an almond bitterness and aniseed.

Finish: A medium to long dry, lingering finish which is sweet and mouth warming, followed by glazed orange and sweet kaki. A delightfully rich candy concoction.

Notes & Photo Courtesy of Glengoyne Distillery

Glengoyne Whisky Distillery
Glengoyne Whisky Distillery

With its neat, manicured buildings and whitewashed walls, the distillery sits like a white jewel beneath the rolling Campsie Hills at the gateway to the Highlands. Its true magic, though, is only unveiled as you wander through the picturesque distillery yard, between banks of seasonal flora, to the Reception Centre and beyond. Here, tucked away behind the main buildings, within a natural sandstone hollow, you'll find a tranquil lochan fed by a 50-foot waterfall.

Its source: the rainwater running off the mighty Dumgoyne Hill, which towers above the distillery, and which must once have provided an ideal vantage point from which to spy the unwelcome approach of Excisemen. The crystal clear, soft water - some of it known to have filtered through the rocks of Dumgoyne for 40 years or more - flows almost straight into the distillery before continuing on its way down through the Blane Valley, eventually arriving at Loch Lomond. In passing, it imparts a very delicate flavour to our malt whisky, a lightness complemented by the milder climate of the southern Highlands and the benevolent lee of Dumgoyne's peak, standing guard against the North winds of winter.

At Glengoyne you have a complete 'microcosm' of everything that's required for producing whisky. The rain falls onto Dumgoyne Hill and then runs down a wooded glen to the waterfall at the distillery, which in turn is surrounded by barley fields.

You are most welcome all year round to visit us at 'Scotland's Most Beautiful Distillery' to see our production process and learn how Glengoyne Single Highland Malt Whisky is made. A range of options exist for the interested imbiber. The Glengoyne tour and VIP tours leave from our Reception room overlooking the beautiful waterfall and glen every hour and no prior booking is required for groups of l0 or less. With advanced notice you can indulge in our nosing and tasting sessions, warehouse visits, Master Blender sessions (including creating your own whisky) and much more. A full range of all the different tour options available to you can be found on this website under 'Glengoyne Guided Tours'.

Opening Times
March - November
First Tour: 10am - Last Tour: 4pm
Shop: 10am - 5pm

December - February
First Tour: 11am - Last Tour: 3pm
Shop: 10am - 4.30pm

On Sundays all year tours start and whisky shop opens at 12 noon.

Phone in advance for Christmas - New Year opening hours Tel. +44 (0)1360 550 254 or send an email here...

Glengoyne Guided Tours

New range of Glengoyne Distillery Tours
Glengoyne is now offering a fantastic NEW range of comprehensive Guided Tours that take you behind the scenes at the distillery and give you an amazing insight into the production of scotch whisky.

Glengoyne Tour £6.50 per person
Warm your cockles with a dram of Glengoyne 10 year old Highland Single Malt Whisky overlooking our waterfall and glen and view our unique film before being whisked off to discover the secrets of Scotland’s slowest whisky distillation at this stunning, quirky wee gem of a place. We’ll end your tour in our well stocked shop, surprisingly enough. (45 minutes)

Wee Tasting Tour £8.50 per person
Just like above, but with an additional tasting of our award winning Glengoyne 17 year old Highland Single Malt Whisky. Two great drams and an hour of fun. (1 hour)

Tasting Tour £15.00 per person
Get all the fun of the Glengoyne Tour, followed by an in-depth, tutored tasting of Glengoyne 12, 17 and 21 year old Highland Single Malt Whiskies in our sumptuous Club Room. Relax and linger as we guide you through our family of whisky. (1½ hours)

Master Blender Session £30.00 per person
Create your very own blended whisky. We’ll dram you with 10 Year Old, let our Distillery inspire you then deposit you in our unique Sample Room to learn the dark art of the Master Blender. Taste Langs Select blended whisky and award winning Glengoyne 17 year old Single Highland Malt and create your very own blend of whisky which will be bottled in a 100ml sample bottle for you to take home, along with a certificate. This is great fun. (1½ hours)

Cask Idol £70.00 per person
The Search for the Perfect Dram Starts Here. Sample SIX Glengoyne Single Cask whiskies and help us select the perfect dram for a very special release. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to become part of the Glengoyne Single Cask Selection Panel and taste whisky that is still maturing.

Following an in-depth Glengoyne Distillery tour and a visit to the legendary Warehouse No. 8, we will guide you through our last three Single Cask bottlings, before asking you to judge three new samples drawn from the cask – one of which could be released with your name and tasting notes on the bottle label. (2 hours 15 minutes)

(This tour will be available from April 2010)

The Masterclass £100.00 per person
The most in-depth and comprehensive distillery tour in Scotland. Unique to Glengoyne, the Master Class offers the most in-depth and comprehensive distillery tour in Scotland. This specialised tour includes a visit to the Glengoyne warehouses which are not normally open to the public and explores the key areas of whisky making in some depth

This experience includes tastings of Glengoyne 12 and 17 year old Highland Single Malt, 3 Glengoyne Single Cask whiskies and 6 Sherry samples. Guests will have the opportunity to create their own blend in the whisky Sample Room. A light lunch is provided. At the end of the visit, guests are presented with a 200ml bottle of their created blend, a Master Class certificate and a Glengoyne commemorative book. (5 hours)

A Century of Whisky £150.00 per person
Enthused by a dram of Glengoyne 10 year old, you’ll enjoy an in-depth distillery tour followed by a tutored tasting of our company’s oldest and rarest whiskies, the breathtaking Glengoyne 40 year old and Isle of Skye 50 year old in their own bespoke crystal ‘copita’ glasses, which you will take home with you. Together, these three liquid jewels represent a century of maturation. We’ll bring these great drams to life for you, sharing their distillation, maturation and flavour profiles – exposing 100 years of hopes and fears, of wandering legs and golden tears. (2 hours) Begins 19th April 2010.

Driving directions to Glengoyne Distillery
From Glasgow (15 miles)
From Glasgow city centre follow signs for Aberfoyle and the North (A81). Once on the A81 you will travel through the towns/villages of Bearsden, Milngavie and Strathblane. Glengoyne Distillery is situated on the right hand side 3 miles out of Strathblane.

From Edinburgh (54 miles)
Take the M8 towards Glasgow city centre. Take Junction 16 (A81). Leave Motorway (signposted Aberfoyle (A81) then take right hand lane and at traffic signals turn right under bridge then take left hand lane to join A879 (signposted Milngavie). Keep on road until you reach a roundabout and take 2nd exit to left towards Milngavie and at next set of Traffic lights turn right onto the A81 and continue on this road. You will pass through Milngavie and Strathblane. Glengoyne Distillery is situated on the right hand side 3 miles out of Strathblane.

From Balloch, Loch Lomond (12 miles)
Take the A811 through Balloch and travel through small village of Gartocharn. At T-juntion turn right A809 (signposted Glasgow). Travel through village of Croftamie until see signpost for Killearn and Glengoyne distillery. At roundabout take 3rd exit A81. Glengoyne distillery is situated on the left hand side 2 miles from roundabout.

Public Transport
The no.10 bus leaves Buchanan bus station in the centre of Glasgow and passes in front of the distillery gates. If you let the driver know that you would like to get off at Glengoyne Distillery, the driver will stop at the distillery gates. The bus leaves from stance 34 at Buchanan Bus station (approx every hour) and the journey takes 45-50 minutes.

For bus information please call: Firstbus +44 (0)870 608 2608

Taxis
It is possible to get a taxi from Glasgow and Loch Lomond to Glengoyne distillery. The journey will take 35 minutes from Glasgow and 30 minutes from Loch Lomond.

Canniesburn Taxis +44 (0)141 956 3333
Drymen Taxis +44 (0)1360 660077

Please do not hesitate to contact Glengoyne distillery for further travel or distillery information +44 (0)1360 550254 or send an email here...

Courtesy of Glengoyne