I had the good fortune to visit Glengoyne Distillery. The distillery had been continuously in operation since its founding in 1833 at Dumgoyne, north of Glasgow, Scotland. Glengoyne is unique in producing Highland single malt whisky matured in the Lowlands. Located upon the Highland Line, the division between the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland, Glengoyne’s stills are in the Highlands while maturing casks of whisky rest across the road in the Lowlands.
Although they used to malt their own barley, it is now bought in pre malted due to the present quantities required. Making over 1 million litres of spirit a year, it became impossible on the present site.
Here you see how the aging process darkens the whisky and how it gets less as the Angels have their share
They roll the malted barley into grist and it then goes into the mash tun with lots of heated water where sugars are extracted. This is done 3 times and the last one goes into the next batch while the first 2, called wort go to the fermentation washback tanks for a about 50 or so hrs. It is now called wash, and is about strength of strong beer, in this case about 10%abv.
It then goes to the wash still, and distills into low wines. This then goes to the final distilling stills, in this distillery they use 2 side by side. Foreshots and feints...ie the first and last of this process are drawn off and will be reused in the next batch. They are not used as whisky due to their pungency mostly.
Ours was the whisky and chocolate tour. They have a master chocolateire here too.. the chocs were awesome.
Whisky is now at about 73%abv and cask strength. It will then be stored at least 10 years here before its blended by the master.... this way you get the same single malt regularly, as every cask is slightly different. Old bourbon and sherry casks are used.
Got to try the 12, 15, 20 and as a treat for me, a 25 year old which was pretty awesome. PS its £260 a bottle lol.
Our guide was Deirdre,
a lovely and well versed lass who took great care of me. I got an individual tour with my son and daughter as im disabled...a nice touch.
This is the distillery that Jack and Victor of Still Game went to and got sloshed my daughter asked.
the shop where you can draw off your own bottle of cask strength should you wish, or buy whisky etc.
Its a great day out and not that far from Glasgow, and there is ample parking and a quint bus stop if needed. They do various types of tour including malt master ones.
Couldn,t quite afford this one