Glenkinchie 12 Year Old 2
I’d say it’s about time we have a look at some Lowland whisky, as I have not reviewed many thus far (which is quite natural, of course, what with there only being 3 left in production!). The particular one I have on in mind for tod is Glenkinchie 12 year old, yet another Diageo brand.
Founded in 1825, its history is terribly dry and uninteresting, and thus we shall skip right past it. Unfortunately it is not only the history of this whisky that is uninteresting, though. The taste, aroma and just about everything else about it falls under the same category. I suppose that may well be the reason why an overwhelming majority of the whisky produced at the distillery goes on to form a part of various blends.
Don’t get me wrong here, Glenkinchie is by no means a bad whisky – it is simply very, how shall I put it.. Average. Even that would be fine if it wasn’t for the fact that it is priced around £30 ($46) which places it in the same price range as some much more interesting malts; Laphroaig Quarter Cask and Glenmorangie 10 year old, to name but two.
The nose presents a hefty serving of malty sweetness along with flowers, vanilla and honeyed, toasted, cereal. The different aromas do come together nicely, but I can’t help but think something is missing. On the palate you will find more sweetness and malt, a hint of spice and very ripe fruit and the texture is quite creamy. Again, not at all unpleasant, but rather unfortunately it is just not exciting at all… There is nothing to make you long for the next sip.
Colour: A pale gold.
Nose: Light, sweet, barley malt, flowers, honeyed cereal and vanilla.
Taste: Sweet malt, a hint of spice and very ripe fruit. Creamy, but unexciting.
Want to buy this whisky? Available in: UK & Europe (click), USA & World (click)
Here are some related posts that you might want to read:
- Auchentoshan 12 Year Old
- Talisker 10 Year Old
- Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old
- Glenlivet 18 Year Old
- Glenmorangie 10 Year Old
I have to disagree completely with this review on several accounts (though I have found several others to be right on the money). This whisky has a much fuller depth and taste than the Glenmorangie 10yr, and is much more enjoyable, both right after the pour and after it has been open to the air for a bit. I am not sure where you are finding this bottle for $46 dollars, but it the States, this bottle and the Distiller’s edition can be had for under $30 (with the Distiller’s edition being even better than the standard 12 yr old – I brought a bottle to a tasting recently and it was gone in under 10 minutes).
Hi there, thanks for your comment – always good to get a bit of a discussion going! As I mentioned in my review of the Glenmorangie 10, it holds a special place with me and as such I may give it more credit than others would. Thus I wouldn’t agree at all that this is offers a fuller depth than does the Glenmorangie, I just don’t think it has anything to grab your attention or intrigue you.
Oh and as for the price, it costs about £30 in the UK which is roughly $46 – unfortunately alcohol is rather more expensive here than in the US.