Workers at Glengoyne distillery were allowed an allowance of whisky every day - it was meant to be 3 fingers but they found a colleague with massively chubby fingers so it was quite a large amount so they had to use a small copper teapot which some sipped from all day. The cask was selected by the Master Brewer each week. Managers then began to notice they were picking the best first fill Oloroso casks for themselves. In the 1970's this 150 year old tradition ended at Glengoyne and across the whole industry as new health and safety legislation came into being. Now there is a Legendary annual sherry bomb release from Glengoyne that honours the workers and their ability to pick the best casks in the warehouse. Aged in first fill European oak oloroso sherry casks. This edition was bottled in 2023 at a cask strength of 58.9%.
In classic Australian style, this whisky has absolutely rippled flavour out of its cask. However, while I was expecting spiky youth in the spirit and the abv, it drinks with a maturity and ease that belies these facts. I have since bought two bottles. Absolutely delicious and as good, if not better, than it’s Scotch peers
Nose: A rich herbal aroma intertwined with bonfire smoke, evoking imagery of a seaside campfire. Notes of sea salt, struck matches, and subtle roasted orange peel linger behind the smoky veil.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied with a distinct oily texture. The high proof delivers a robust entry, blending sweet spices with peat, accented by a faint trace of sulfur.
Finish: Long and warming, with persistent ashy smoke and briny sea breeze. Hints of matchstick and a delicate iodine note round it out.
With Water: The aroma reveals pronounced wet sea salt and brine, with the smokiness softening into a rounder profile. Vanilla and oak emerge prominently. On the palate, the sweetness persists, with the peat becoming less intense, giving way to caramelized oak and fruit notes.
A gentle giant. This old grain whisky doesn’t try to shout, but it has plenty to say if you’re listening. A soft, elegant dram with aged sherry cask influence, balancing fruit, leather, oak, and just a whisper of tobacco. If you’re chasing subtle complexity over brute strength, this hits the mark.