Editor’s Note: This whisky was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
So often the whisky we drink is sold to us with grand tales and unique productions or finishes. But every once in a while there is a whisky that drops the pretense and just delivers a fantastic dram at a reasonable price point. Glengoyne Legacy Series: Chapter Three is one of those bottles. This is the final bottling of the legacy series and is marketed as being released in honor of Sir Arthur John Tedder.
So what then makes him so important? Well, he is credited with helping to establish the legal definition of whisky. Something Glengoyne feels they influenced due to Sir Tedder’s four years living in the excise officer’s house at Glengoyne distillery.
Glengoyne translates to the valley of the geese. Glengoyne started back in 1820 as an illegal operation; they became a legal operation in 1833 under the name Glenguin of Burnfoot. In 1966 the distillery was rebuilt into its current form tripling production. In 2003 Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. purchased the distillery. They have since made some great strides in reducing environmental impact including the creation of the Glengoyne wetlands to help process their spent lees.
According to Glengoyne, this whisky is made from 100% malted barley, aged in American oak sherry casks, and bottled at 48% alcohol by volume. Other than that, all I can really say is it is good whisky. This is one of those examples of a bottle not needing an elaborate story or a gimmick for its production method. They simply made a good whisky to honor someone that helped define the category.
So without anything to really set this apart from other Glengoyne bottles, let me talk about what sets Glengoyne apart from other distilleries. A look over Glengoyne’s website shows their dedication to taking time with their product. Even before they age their whisky they emphasize the importance of time, from the air drying of their grain to a claim of having the slowest distillation. They then transfer their distillate into made to order barrels made of both European and American oak for aging. Their whisky is never made with any additives.
Tasting Notes: Glengoyne Legacy Series: Chapter Three
Vital Stats: 48% ABV, made with 100% malted barley, and bottled un-chillfiltered. Suggested retail price of $94.99 per 750ml bottle.
Appearance: This is golden straw in color. It creates a clean thin layer on the glass.
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Nose: I get a lot of green apple and lemon oil right away. There is also a lighter smell of caramel and barley.
Palate: The front is peppery and citrusy with an underlying sweetness of tropical fruit. The mid palate tastes of red apples and barley. The barley carries through to the finish. There is a little meatiness in the transition to the finish and I am left with a kind of cotton candy quality, it is light and has a general sweetness to it.
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