Glenkinchie whiskies

History

The distillery was founded in the 1820s on the initiative of local farmers, in an area very rich in barley. At the end of the 19th century it was rebuilt by a group of Edinburgh merchants and blenders, and at the beginning of the 20th it became part of the Distillers Company. For decades its whisky went mainly into blends. In 1988 Diageo included it in its collection of six malts representing the Scottish regions, and its own malt became known. In the 2020s it was renovated as one of Johnnie Walker’s four visitor centres in Scotland.

House style

Glenkinchie has one of the largest wash stills in Scotland and uses a worm tub. The style is light and floral: fresh grass, meadow flowers, lemon, honey and sweet cereal, with a short, dry finish. It uses no peat. It is the typical Lowland malt, delicate and easy, perfect as an aperitif or for beginners.

Where to start

Glenkinchie 12 Year Old is the benchmark expression: light, floral and fresh, one of the friendliest malts in the catalogue. You’ll like it if you prefer smooth, smokeless whiskies. Drink it neat or with a little cool water. If you like it, compare it with Auchentoshan, the other great Lowland malt in the catalogue, to notice the effect of triple distillation.

• Glenkinchie 12 Year OldSingle malt · 43% ABV