Glengoyne Cask Strength Batch No. 007

Nose (neat): Smells like caraway cake being baked while walking through a pine woods. Initially quite vibrant and sticky, with a noticeable alcohol sting, but this softens to reveal nutty and woodsy scents. Hints of toffee and leathery malt are present too, but this really needs water; the un-diluted aroma is extremely concentrated. Nose (watered): Much improved – significantly so. Honey and the fragrance of sweet flowering plants. The leathery, spicy, and toffee notes meld together into a complex and highly pleasing profile. With patience, it starts to resemble the character of a whisky from the northeast coast. Palate (neat): Sweet grass and abundant citrus, especially grapefruit, upon first taste. The high alcohol content must fade for complexity to emerge; then, toasted bread, walnuts, and something akin to a potent sour-fruit spirit appear. I've never sampled marine varnish, though I've applied plenty, but I imagine it would taste like this. Numerous sharp spice elements are also detected; it's an intensely powerful and busy flavor experience. Palate (watered): Wonderful – it's a completely different drink. Dried fruits, ripe bananas, and a subtle sherry earthiness support a beautifully structured malt essence. The spice is now much better integrated, serving a complementary and supportive function rather than dominating. As it evolves, previously undetected coffee and dark chocolate notes combine with coarse-cut Dundee marmalade. The texture is greatly enhanced. Finish (neat): Medium to long. More varnish and sharp spice notes, concluding with a slightly astringent aftertaste. Finish (watered): Medium to long. The varnish is gone, replaced by stewed pears. The pronounced tannic sensations have receded, leaving a mild, tingling spice with hints of cinnamon and clove. Intense without water, delightful with it. I reduced this gradually to approximately 46% ABV. Once diluted, allow it to rest and settle; after about 20 minutes, it becomes very enjoyable. The palate, much like the nose, shifts toward a northeastern profile, reminiscent of the areas between Wick and Brora. It's stated to be un-chillfiltered, but the cloudiness is minimal, suggesting effective barrier filtration. It continues to evolve and open up over time. I must admit I'm not a huge fan of Glengoyne. I don't dislike their spirits, but they don't particularly excite me. This was definitely among the better ones I've tried, but I favor the 18 or 21-year-old versions. Those are smooth and sophisticated from extended aging, while this one is a bit rough around the edges. Nevertheless, for its category, the price is quite reasonable, and if you appreciate the distillery's signature style, I can recommend it. Tasted from a small sample that was purchased. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars) (but only when diluted)

I was too intoxicated to tell for sure. For a 58.9% vol whiskey, I needed to add a bit of water to drink it. Nose: Sherry, Caramel, Honey Taste: Very spicy. Caramel, Honey, Pepper.

It's better with a tiny bit of water added.