Glenkinchie Distillers Edition - 2022 Collection

Founded in 1837 and rebuilt in 1890, Glenkinchie was one of only two operating Lowland distilleries by the millennium. Lowland whiskies (if you ignore all the innovative new distilleries over the last decade or so!) were traditionally known for being ‘light’, grassy and floral. This is partly because Auchentoshan is triple distilled, but Glenkinchie is actually double distilled (like most Scotch malts).

If you take a closer look at their production, a clear wort and long fermentation start things off light and fruity, but then something interesting happens. The lyne arms from the enormous stills are angled steeply downward and lead to a worm tub condenser (used by very few distilleries these days). The reduced reflux and copper contact here would usually mean a ‘heavier’, more full-bodied spirit. It’s a fascinating balance. This release also had a secondary maturation in American oak Amontillado sherry casks.