Glenkinchie 12 Year Old

In the realm of single malt Scotch whiskies, Glenkinchie 12 stands as a beacon of sophistication, capturing the essence of the Lowland style. This, Diageo-owned, distillery is based just outside Edinburgh and the whisky itself is distilled in some of Scotland’s largest stills giving it a lovely, light character. Diageo market this as an apperatif or pre-dinner dram but frankly I’d happily drink it any time!

Bottle

My favourite bottle shape is a short, sturdy design that looks like it could survive years floating at sea. This bottle comes close to that in looks but it is certainly a a more refined, sleek version of this idea than some of my favourites, like Balvenie and Aberlour bottles. The golden, interleaved letters of GK that stand above the label are beautiful and help elevate the expectations from this whisky. Furthermore, the discrete label gives a fabulous view of the whisky in the bottle - a must for me! As you unbox this bottle you are coaxed towards the feeling of a refined, elegant and premium dram within.

Colour

This Lowland whisky has a relatively light colour, maybe amber or light gold which is very pleasing, however, this is enhanced with some caramel colouring.

Nose - This is very delicate whisky and on first nosing you are greeted with a bouquet of floral notes that transport you to blossoming orchards. Subtle hints of honey and malt add some layers of complexity, creating an inviting aroma that foreshadows the elegance of the whisky.

Palate - From the first sip, Glenkinchie 12 enchants the palate with a lovely balance of flavours. Sweet, crisp apples and pears take the lead, accompanied by a touch of vanilla that adds a sweet and lightly-creamy dimension. The malt character, a hallmark of the Lowland style, is woven in seamlessly, creating a harmonious taste that is both sophisticated and inviting.

Finish - A medium finish with malt and barley tastes slowly fading to leave a little of the floral notes from earlier and maybe even a little cut-grass.

Overall

As Glenkinchie’s main expression this 12 year old readily competes with the core bottling from many distilleries across Scotland. At around £40 (just under at the time of writing) this is a great whisky to have on your shelf and even better to give as a gift. The package and bottle are that of a far more expensive whisky and this is no pig with lipstick on - a great Lowland whisky at a pretty good price.