Glengoyne – 18 Years Old (70cl, 43%)

This is an 18 year old Glengoyne single malt from the Highlands, bottled in 2020 at 43% in a 70cl bottle. It takes its full character from a good share of first-fill sherry casks. The vatting is 35 per cent first-fill sherry casks of European oak, 15 per cent first-fill sherry casks of American oak and 50 per cent hand-selected refill oak casks. The colour is light gold. The nose brings red apple and ripe melon, then hot porridge with brown sugar. The palate is full and rounded, with macerated fruit, marzipan and walnut, followed by intense spice, dried cocoa and a lasting taste of bitter orange marmalade. The finish is long, warm and dry.