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

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.

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
Monday - Saturday
Tours: 10.00 - 16.00 (every hour)
Shop: 9.30 - 17.00

Sunday
Tours: 12.00 - 16.00 (every hour)
Shop: 12.30 - 17.00

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

Glengoyne Guided Tours

Glengoyne Tour
Guests are welcomed, offered a dram of Glengoyne 10 year old Single Highland Malt whisky, view a short video about the distillery and are taken on an informative and entertaining tour by one of our experienced Brands Heritage Assistants, ending at our Slainte Mhath Shop.

Wee Tasting Tour
Glengoyne tour as above plus an additional tasting of our award winning Glengoyne 17 year old Single Highland Malt Whisky at the end of their visit.

Tasting Tour
The Tasting Tour includes a dram of 10 year and 12 year old Single Highland Malt whisky, a short video presentation and guided tour of the distillery. At the end of the tour guests are welcomed in to the new Glengoyne Club Room where they can relax with a taste of Glengoyne 17 year and 21 year old Single Highland Malt whisky.

Cask Tasting Tour
The Cask Tasting tour is specifically designed for guests, who enjoy tasting, and learning about, cask strength whisky. Guests are welcomed with a dram of 12 year old Single Highland Malt before enjoying a full guided tour of the distillery including a visit to the bonded warehouses. At the end of the tour guests are invited to the new Glengoyne Club Room to taste three Single Cask whiskies.

Master Blender Session
Guests are welcomed with a dram of Glengoyne 10 year old Single Highland Malt before enjoying a guided tour of the distillery including a visit to the bonded warehouses. After the tour guests are invited in to our new state-of the-art whisky Sample Room where they can taste Langs Select blended whisky and award winning Glengoyne 17 year old Single Highland Malt whilst learning about the art of the Master Blender. Guests will then have the opportunity to create their own blend which will be bottled in a 100ml sample bottle for them to take home, along with a certificate.

The Glengoyne Masterclass
Unique to Glengoyne, the Glengoyne Masterclass offers the most in-depth and comprehensive distillery tour in Scotland. Highlights of this specialised tour include:

  • Whisky tasting of Glengoyne17 year old Single Malt whisky at foot of Glengoyne waterfall.
  • Presentation on and analysis of new make spirit.
  • In-depth guided tour of Glengoyne Distillery including visit to bonded warehouses.
  • Presentation on maturation process plus tasting of three Glengoyne Single Cask whiskies.
  • Nosing of two grain whiskies plus presentation on grain whisky.
  • Talk on the different malt whisky regions in Scotland.
  • Whisky blending session in our state-of-the-art whisky Sample Room.
  • At the end of the visit, guests are presented with a 200ml bottle of their created blend, a personalised bottle of Glengoyne 10 year old Single Highland malt with a special Glengoyne Masterclass label, certificate and cellar book.

The Slainte Mhath Shop
Located inside the oldest warehouse on site, dating back to 1833, the Slainte Mhath Shop retains the atmosphere and charm of the old days. You can feast your eyes on the 'Whisky Wall,' which includes not just our core range of 10yr, 12yr Cask Strength, 17yr and 21yr old single Highland Malt Scotch Whiskies but also wonderful limited edition Single Casks and Special Vintages. Award winning whiskies sit side by side with glassware and crystal presentation sets, clothing, foods, confectionery and preserves, books and an eclectic range of collectables.

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 information on +44 (0)1360 550254

Courtesy of Glengoyne

Comments on this Whisky                                                      page 1 of 1
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Joanne Bergstrom, Editor
Posted 533 days ago
Warming, sweet, slightly syrupy, slightly nutty. Very enjoyable. My Glengoyne 10 yo was hidden behind lots of other Scotches - let's just say I'm thrilled discover it once again! Side note - excellent with chocolate.