The undisputed champion of the light Lowland style.
Appearance
Bright gold.
Nose
Aromatic, vanilla, cut flowers and beneath, a clean, toasty note. Increasingly sweet and creamy, with fresh citrus, lemon cheesecake.
Body
Light, smooth.
Palate
Crisp mid-palate then butter icing, lemon cheesecake and freesias.
Finish
Herbal and drying, a little like potpourri.
Information:
Distillery: GlenkinchieTM
Age: 12 years old
Strength: 43% ABV
Place of Origin: Pencaitland
Region: Lowland
Taste:
in brief… Glenkinchie at its best.
in a sentence… A smooth, gently appetising Lowlander; flowery, ‘perfect for a picnic.’
Nose:
Very aromatic and flowery overall, like breathing in a country garden. Noticeable vanilla, cut flowers (daffodil, blossom and hints of lily) and beneath these, a clean, toasty note. Becomes increasingly sweet and creamy, with a lightly aromatic edge and fresh citrus, which all brings to mind lemon cheesecake. Water makes it still more creamy and scented.
Palate:
A sweet soft start, like crême anglaise, soon becoming flowery again. A really smooth delivery, especially after adding a drop of water. The mid-palate is crisp and then the flavour settles into a tightly focused bundle of butter icing, lemon cheesecake and freesias.
AWARDS
Don't just take our word for it...
International Spirits Challenge
Bronze
2008
International Spirits Challenge
Silver
2009 - 2010
International Wine and Spirit Compeitition
Silver (Best in Class)
2008 - 2009
San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Silver
2009
San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Gold
2008
San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Double Gold
2016
World Whiskies Awards
Best Lowlands Single Malt
2014
The Scotch Whisky Masters
Gold
2010 & 2014
Expert Reviews
Insights from some of the best in the business
"Very pretty on the nose. Violets, sweet grain and orange. Lovely and sweet, slightly syrupy."
Ed Bates 2014, Whisky Magazine, Issue 118, p.106
"Like Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie starts life as a (deliberately) sulfury new make, but this character falls away in time to reveal delicacy. As a 10 year old, that sulfur could still be hanging around — one reason for the switch to a 12 year age statement. The improvement is noticeable. Here are gently lifted floral notes, hints of dry grass, and crisp pear. The feel is gentle and slow in the center, while vanilla creeps into the finish. Not complex, but very pleasant."
Dave Broom, The Whisky Advocate Summer 2012
"A decent dram showing the Lowlanders need not lack substance."
Rob Allanson 2009, Whisky Magazine, Issue 79
"The nose is fresh and floral, with spices and citrus fruits, plus a hint of marshmallow. Notably elegant. Water releases cut grass and lemon notes. Medium-bodied, smooth, sweet and fruity, with malt, butter and cheesecake. The finish is comparatively long and drying, initially rather herbal."
Gavin D Smith, Malt Whisky Yearbook 2015, p.125
"The nose is light and flowery, with wet meadow notes and cucumber, the palate is pure barley with a touch of star anise spice and an earthy note"
Dominic Roskrow, Malt Whisky Yearbook 2015, p.125
"Very pretty on the nose. Violets, sweet grain and orange. Lovely and sweet, slightly syrupy."
Ed Bates 2014, Whisky Magazine, Issue 118, p.106
"Like Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie starts life as a (deliberately) sulfury new make, but this character falls away in time to reveal delicacy. As a 10 year old, that sulfur could still be hanging around — one reason for the switch to a 12 year age statement. The improvement is noticeable. Here are gently lifted floral notes, hints of dry grass, and crisp pear. The feel is gentle and slow in the center, while vanilla creeps into the finish. Not complex, but very pleasant."
Dave Broom, The Whisky Advocate Summer 2012
"A decent dram showing the Lowlanders need not lack substance."
Rob Allanson 2009, Whisky Magazine, Issue 79
"The nose is fresh and floral, with spices and citrus fruits, plus a hint of marshmallow. Notably elegant. Water releases cut grass and lemon notes. Medium-bodied, smooth, sweet and fruity, with malt, butter and cheesecake. The finish is comparatively long and drying, initially rather herbal."
Gavin D Smith, Malt Whisky Yearbook 2015, p.125
"The nose is light and flowery, with wet meadow notes and cucumber, the palate is pure barley with a touch of star anise spice and an earthy note"
A smooth, beautifully structured and well-paced Speyside malt with a rich texture and a balance of sweet fruit, dark chocolate, toffee and spice. A great aperitif!
