Glengoyne 21 Year Old: Review

[@robdavey8836]

Mike goes off on a Packers rant... Dustin....”so the nose is better with water...” brings him back, haha keep em coming 🥃

[@topshelfwhisky]

🤣🤣🤣 It's been 30 years of Brett Farve and Aaron Rogers.... like a winter that will not end. 🥲

[@topshelfdustin3060]

That's the sport where they hit the ball and run the bases? :)

[@maltygolfer3626]

A great example of how palates differ. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Thanks for your honesty and passion for whisky!

[@topshelfwhisky]

Always!

[@Boris-wg6lr]

I do not have as much experience as you guys, but, in my humble opinion, this whisky is just excellent. And you are right - the finish is something extraordinary! (I do like your channel a lot.)

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Mike's overly critical of the 43% imo. It's great stuff, but that proof really really limits this from being on that next level. I haven't looked at prices in a while but if still under 300, it's a great way to get good age, great sherry, and an overall good whisky. But god 46% could turn this into something on the next level.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Ha, Dustin speaks the truth. Many of my disappointments with this whisky or criticism should I say. Are ABV and initial taste

[@steveno7058]

Great review. For me Nose means very little. Palate and finish is 10x more important for me.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I get that one, it's why we gotta point out our bias. That said this is also pretty thin. So if mouth feel is a factor it doesn't do well. But keep in mind we're coming at this from the stand point of truly high end whisky. I'm not that concerned about the nose on a 50 dollar bottle.

[@peterwhite507]

Nice review. Arran 21 vs Glengoyne 21? Based on your reviews, almost a dead heat. I would almost take the Arran 18 over the Glengoyne 21

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I'd go with the arran, the underlying malt is just better. Throw in it is cheaper and it's a win win.

[@topshelfwhisky]

That’s worth a comparison but I would think Arran would be the preferred whisky... it’s a good excuse to drink more of Dustin‘s whisky. 😉

[@welshtoro3256]

Been a few years since I had the Glengoyne 21 and I remember enjoying it. No bitterness in mine as I recall and I wonder if this bottling is not what it once was. I'm pretty sure my old bottle was top dressed with older stuff in it. It's not particularly complex but a tasty and well made whisky for sure. When my bottle was open I also had a Macallan 18 (1995 - the last very good one) which I thought better but the Glengoyne had the edge for value. Macallan's sherry casks have gone down the toilet since then, so I hope Glengoyne can maintain the standard. (By the way, I have to say the Glenfarclas 25 has grown on me. It definitely helps with some time and oxidation past the neck line.) I have to give Glengoyne credit for a structured improvement throughout their price range and let's not forget gentlemen that the 21 is the price ceiling for most malt fans. Macallan are not what they were at all. I had Macallan 10 in the late 80's and it was a monster. The best sherry bombs today come from single cask independent bottlers and they have no distillery character whatsoever. They all taste the same almost regardless of age. I buy the odd one so I have one in the cupboard when the mood takes me but sherry bombs and their desirability have to be one of the most ridiculous elements of the the modern whisky world. I visit Andalusian sherry bodegas and I know what they sell to the whisky market.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I think the casks are fine on the glengoyne. I think their malt lacks anything going on it and as a result you're really experiencing cask and cask alone influence. I'd be surprised if you didn't get any european oak bitterness in your older bottling, that's a staple and sign of good european oak cask to me. I have to add after hating the glenfarclas 25, it's actually started to come around to it a bit myself. Sadly, it's no longer a crazy value bottle either. They've all gone up. As for this being at the ceiling for many drinkers, but as Glengoyne's prices are constantly going up now, nearly doubling in price in the past few years on the 21 and 25...the 30 saw a sharp increase as well, the value's leaving. As you know Mike and I rate whiskies with no price consideration and our focus is on whiskies at the ceiling and above as that's where we buy and it also works out that it's an under served niche in the market where a lot of people today are stuck gambling without a lot of advice on those higher end bottlings....let alone reviews of different vintages and bottling years.

[@welshtoro3256]

@@topshelfdustin3060 Appreciated Dustin. I remember the word was out about five or six years ago to get some 25 because we all new the price was going to jump. Buying whisky today is like speculating on wine. We buy vintages because they only go up in price every year. I'm sitting on a lot of whisky that I bought because of that reason.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

@@welshtoro3256 i regret not having the means to go a lot crazier even 3 years ago let alone 5+. Sadly it wasn't in the cards to act when times were better, but I might be regretting not bunkering even more whisky if I don't start acting on it soon. One nice thing we have in the US is that with auctions not a thing, our secondary market is lower than yours for chasing older better bottles. This means often older bottles of say a Glengoyne 25 can show up for below the current retail even. It's one of the many reasons Mike and I often want to discuss price but it's such a challenge. It's even more absurd when we get into bourbon where I never pay secondary, but it's hard to not point out that many people assume when people have access to the bourbons we do, that the likely way was through secondary markets vs just being a regular at stores and spending enough to get access to the good stuff.

[@Martin-zn7wq]

Not becoming a bit spoiled, gentlemen ? This is in my humble view a very solid bottle for the money, anyway, great video as always, cheers from Germany

[@topshelfdustin3060]

A few years ago, I think I'd be with you on quality for price. But as this reach near 200 now, the 43% just doesn't cut it and the nose is just lacking.

[@bongson691]

Hi Mike and Dustin I watch all your videos, and I agree with your assessment of this whiskey, you payed a lot less than I did, I payed $220.00 out the door at total wine and I bought not only one but 2 bottles, I wish I had watched this video before I purchased them, as always you do great videos, cheers and keep the videos coming !!!

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Thanks man. Yeah I think this was 160+ shipping which was domestic so it wasn't too terrible. A few years ago everyone was raving about these guys as value for money. Now...I think the value side has dropped and now it has to hold up to the big boys at higher prices. The 25 and 30 do that. The 21 just doesn't cut it.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Thanks! I appreciate the support. Have you tied your gg21 yet?

[@bongson691]

@@topshelfwhisky Yes it is very good !!

[@MrPsiman]

Are you going to do the Redbreast CS Small Batch soon ? It has been getting destroyed by reviewers but it's not meant to be like the 12 CS and it's suppose to be dryer and pepperier . Stories and Sips on KZbin has a great show on this with the rep. from a couple weeks ago. His channel is great for Irish whiskey and he is from Ireland but now lives in San Diego. Erin Go Braless !!!

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I'm missing some context on the last line, but I always support that! But no, that's not one we'll be reviewing. Not really our wheel house and as you said a lot of other reviewers have already reviewed it. Our focus is on older, rarer, or things that really impress us. Mix in mike and I have a few distilleries that we buy too much of (springbank, lagavulin and to a less extent compass box). I did get to try the new red breast at the end of a session and I don't have good memory on it, but I didn't recall it doing anything to justify a purchase. We however on the topic of Irish do have a dair ghaelach review coming. I also don't think too many others have reviewed midleton barry crockett legacy, so that's one I think we'll get around to as well.

[@markhanson6914]

great review guys, for glengoyne just spend the money and get the 25. I know its twice the money of the 21 but is worth it.

[@topshelfwhisky]

agreed

[@primewhisky]

Very enjoyable review guys👍🏻 There is a lot of good 43% whisky out there Mike😄😄 Glengoyne is not a favorite distillery, tried the 21y, 25y and the 28y and was not that impressed😬

[@topshelfdustin3060]

what 43% whiskies are you thinking of?

[@topshelfwhisky]

Never tried the 28 but I really enjoy the 25 and 30. What non peated heavy sherried whiskies do you prefer?

[@primewhisky]

@@topshelfdustin3060 i have a 30y sherry matured Tamdhu that is amazing stuff and I also love the Macallan Ruby😋😋 One more the Glenmorangie 25y

[@primewhisky]

@@topshelfwhisky i think the Macallan 18y beats the crap out of any Glengoyne or Glendronach but i also love the Glenfarclas 30y(43%🤗)(have not tried the 30y GG though)😋

[@topshelfwhisky]

@@primewhisky I used to Love Mac 18 but I would take the gg25 over it... Having said that, I do prefer my whisky with a good amount smoke so the Speysides aren’t my go to.

[@米豆專家]

Does the new packaging cause a drop in quality?for glengoyne 21

[@topshelfwhisky]

I haven't tried the new but the 25 year-old did. Slight but it was there.

[@thomasbuck303]

I can't really speak to any of the higher end glengoynes, not having tried them, but I prefer the Glengoyne 10 over the Macallan 12 and Glendronach 12.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

The glengoynes 10 keeps coming up as a polorizing bottle. To the point my normal rule to never buy 12 or less unless CS might get violated later this year. Mind you now and then I pickup an old box mcallan 12 despite my digs at the brand. I'll upset some people but I just didn't like my last glendronach 12 to the point I won't buy again. Bottom line, I think that opinion has some good company.

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

A couple of years ago I was able to get one of these for $120. It is good and needed a lot of time to open up in the glass. Really think Glengoyne needs to step up and release this at 46% ncf. Did several side by sides with a Old Malt Cask Glengoyne 21 from a refill bourbon hogshead cask strength. Added some water to at least try to get close on the abv. It's clear that the Glengoyne spirit character is something you are tasting.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

interesting, I've disliked every bourbon cask finished glengoyn i've had. So maybe we were getting some flaws from that. I like this whisky and at 120 I'd replace that bottle. At 160-200? I'm not replacing it.

[@martincaravati9417]

3 years ago it was $130 near me and I thought well worth it; now it’s $200+ and an easy pass at that price. Also, the GG 25 now $530, up from $300. Just nuts.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Mike and I have been talking about how we wished we'd bought a lot more of the 25 for around 300. The 21 I've never actually seen locally in the first place. It's always been one that had the added cost of shipping with it.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Love the 25 year. Found a few for $329 and it’s well worth that but $500 plus is pushing it.

[@welshtoro3256]

I remember about four or five years ago the word was out about snatching up some 25. It was already pricey but predicted to jump. We're talking about our children's inheritance being pissed away with today's prices.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

@@welshtoro3256 I can't really relate to that. I won't get a dime when mine pass and kids aren't in my future.

[@welshtoro3256]

@@topshelfdustin3060 LoL - me too

[@thescotchhunter8770]

18yr is superior to the 21. 25 and 30 are amazing malts.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

What makes you a bigger than of the 18? I've not really ever though much of the 18, it didn't have the great finish of the 21 but otherwise was a pretty similar experience to me.

[@Houman7]

I’m a huge Glengoyne fan but 21 is a hard pass for 200$ when you can get GlenDronach 21 with same price and that’s in fact a 26 year old malt with higher strength and better quality. I think Glengoyne should jump up strength and stop chill filtering their core range.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Glendronach 21 is a far better choice in my opinion.