Glenkinchie 12

When I set out to pick a whisky for my very first blog post, I found myself at a crossroads.

Should I choose something exclusive and on the pricier side, or opt for a more accessible bottle? In the end, I settled on one of my personal favourites - both for its flavour and overall enjoyment. As a bonus, it is reasonably priced and perhaps not the most common brand; which makes it all the more exciting to introduce it to new whisky fans.

Enter the Glenkinchie 12 Year Old.

It is a rather pleasing looking Lowland single malt, golden amber in colour, bottled at 43% ABV. That extra bump in strength suggests a bit more richness on the palate.

(I’ve tried to get the exposure accurate to what it looks like in real life, and the image is not enhanced)

Nose

There’s an immediate sweetness—honey, nougat, and ripe citrus. It is more grapefruit than lemon or lime, so it doesn’t come across as sharp or acidic. There are also subtle wood notes, reminiscent of wood polish (in the best way possible), and that delightful hint of honey just keeps coming back.

Palate

Honey is still present, though less intense than the nose suggests. It mingles with cereal and malt flavours, with a hint of sweetness. There is a slight oiliness, almost buttery in texture that gradually gives way to soft floral and grassy notes.

Finish

The finish lingers with woody, oak infused tones and a gentle echo of cereal notes, leaving a warm and satisfying aftertaste.

How about a tast.i.ng score? You could argue 85 out of 100, maybe even 90. But at the end of the day, the only real measure I rely on is whether I would buy a bottle again with my own money. At around £45, the Glenkinchie 12 Year Old comfortably lands in my “must-have” category; one I’m always happy to keep on my shelf.

The distillery visitor experience

Glenkinchie is considered the “Lowland home of Johnnie Walker”, and serves as one of the Four Corners of Scotland distilleries of Johnnie Walker (Johnnie Walker and Glenkinchie both being owned by Diageo). The modern, beautifully designed visitor centre certainly lives up to that reputation. I visited the Glenkinchie Distillery in August 2024 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

If you have the chance to visit the distillery, I highly recommend taking a tour. The basic tour is called “The Glenkinchie Flavour Journey” and cost £21 as of August 2024. It was both informative and entertaining, featuring an interactive experience to enhance your understanding of Glenkinchie. At the end of the tour I got to taste 3 different whiskies, The Glenkinchie 12, The Glenkinchie Distillers Edition (note: This is not a distillery exclusive), and Johnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. In addition, I also got cocktail made with Glenkinchie and ginger ale; which has become a firm favourite amongst my family members.

If you are driving, they will provide you with a driver’s pack which contains 3 small bottles to take your whiskies with you.

If you go on a tour, you get a 10% discount at the visitor centre; making the tour essentially free of charge if you were planning on spending over £200 at the shop (or needed an excuse to do so!).

Thoughts?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on Glenkinchie 12 Year Old. If you’ve tried it, feel free to share your own tasting notes, impressions, or tips in the comments below.