Glengoyne Distillery.

[struth]

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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.




https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170218/d83fe08e8f8e329c62266fe3c45c35df.jpgAlthough 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.

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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.


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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, https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170218/8c9016a36319f1ab1dee0d31a0d4297e.jpg
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.
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This is the distillery that Jack and Victor of Still Game went to and got sloshed :lol: my daughter asked.



https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170218/a0645778d88b91e3aed11044eb98b3f5.jpgthe 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
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[Roy S]

This is the distillery that Jack and Victor of Still Game went to and got sloshed :lol: my daughter asked.





They got any of the Clark Gable left :lol:

[Gazjam]

Fantastic pics Grant, looks like a great day out with the family. :)

[brian2957]

Nice piccies Grant . You look right at home :D Did you leave the place conscious :lol:

[struth]

Nae Gable left Roy.. he drank it all...damn alki...hic

Thanks Gary, Brian.. yes i was sober....ish. Lol. Had 4 big uns ..that 25 was stunning. You couldnt drink a lot of it but well maybe you could ;)
One of the ones the guys in place reckoned the best was the 10, which i think can be an ideal age for malt myself... so i bought a bottle...well, actually as i was buying my daghter demanded to pay. Its in a special tube with some GSA artwork on, so i might not open it for a while. Its not cheap, but its handcrafted by these guys n gals. They like to do it the slow, old fashioned way, and not directed by accountants.
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[brian2957]

Well , that was a nice gift matey . I hope you enjoy it :)

[Firebottle]

You're making me quite jealous Grant, I've tasted 21 year old Highland Park, so the 25 year old from there must have been special.

We shall be touring Scotland later in the year so looking forward to some distillery tours :D

[Sherwood]

Years ago when visiting Aberdeen University I went off with some colleagues to the Glenfarclas distillery on Speyside. Similar visitor experience to yours but one thing has stayed in my mind. There were loads of plastic footballs lying around the still. I asked if the lads had a kickabout during their breaks pointing to the footballs. Naw they're pigs, was the reply. Taken aback I attempted to defend his co-workers. Naw, he repeated, the balls, they're pigs. We send them down the pipes to clear them. They are a perfect fit!

So there!

Geoff:)

[Spectral Morn]

Nice write up Grant :cool: Looks like a fab day out.

[struth]

You're making me quite jealous Grant, I've tasted 21 year old Highland Park, so the 25 year old from there must have been special.

We shall be touring Scotland later in the year so looking forward to some distillery tours :D

Think I know of only 3 down this area that do Tours... this one is the best distillery and whisky, so probably worth the visit if your in central Scotland and have an afternoon free. Other 2 are Glenkinchie over E Lothian, and Auchentochen down Clydebank way. This one is technichally a highland distillery, but only by Yards.

[struth]

Years ago when visiting Aberdeen University I went off with some colleagues to the Glenfarclas distillery on Speyside. Similar visitor experience to yours but one thing has stayed in my mind. There were loads of plastic footballs lying around the still. I asked if the lads had a kickabout during their breaks pointing to the footballs. Naw they're pigs, was the reply. Taken aback I attempted to defend his co-workers. Naw, he repeated, the balls, they're pigs. We send them down the pipes to clear them. They are a perfect fit!

So there!

Geoff:)

So, what were they?

[struth]

Nice write up Grant :cool: Looks like a fab day out.

Thanks Neil. Thought the guys might be interested, and the folk there were very kind and deserve a mention.:)

[Sherwood]

So, what were they?

Pigs in the engineering context. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigging :)

[Haselsh1]

We first visited Glengoyne back in the early nineties and would love to do so again but last time we were in Scotland we called in to Glen Turret. We have also visited Tamnavulin as well. Love going around these distilleries but would love to go around Ardbeg the most or possibly Lagavulin.

[struth]

We first visited Glengoyne back in the early nineties and would love to do so again but last time we were in Scotland we called in to Glen Turret. We have also visited Tamnavulin as well. Love going around these distilleries but would love to go around Ardbeg the most or possibly Lagavulin.

well its not changed much in its lifetime physically, or product quality. It was, for me a Trip of a lifetime in my condition , and to be treated well like that. Usually you get bumped off faster than you can hobble .

[petrat]

Excellent write up, Grant. I almost feel like I've had the tour! :thumbsup:

[struth]

Excellent write up, Grant. I almost feel like I've had the tour! :thumbsup:

lol.. cheers Peter... You missed out on the drams :eyebrows:

[Wakefield Turntables]

Grant thanks for the excellent post, a very enjoyable read.

[struth]

Glad you enjoyed it Andy.

[rmcin626]

Nice write up Grant, did Auchentoshan a couple months ago which was fun

[struth]

Nice write up Grant, did Auchentoshan a couple months ago which was fun

Mightvtry that next time, or Glenkinchie over Pencateland way.

[JohnJo]

Enjoyed that Grant, thanks for writing up and posting the pictures.

You have a lovely family, worth more than any bottle of malt :)

[struth]

Enjoyed that Grant, thanks for writing up and posting the pictures.

You have a lovely family, worth more than any bottle of malt :)

Cheers john. Sorry, i missed you out.doh!

Seems to have been well read at well over 600 views. Hope they get extra business, as they deserve it.

[archiesdad]

You're making me quite jealous Grant, I've tasted 21 year old Highland Park, so the 25 year old from there must have been special.

We shall be touring Scotland later in the year so looking forward to some distillery tours :D
Mmmm Highland Park, Grant seems like a grand day out was had by all, need to visit Glenkinchie near me, easier to get to than the more northern malt distilleries, we went to a cooperage last year, interesting too.

[struth]

Not been there. Its not too far away either, but glengoyne isnt that far from you either. Just down the motorway for most part


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[Frazeur1]

Just saw/read this. Grant, very nice pictures and explanation of the goings on here. Beautiful countryside. Really enjoyed the tour, thanks for sharing!

[struth]

Just saw/read this. Grant, very nice pictures and explanation of the goings on here. Beautiful countryside. Really enjoyed the tour, thanks for sharing!

Glad you enjoyed it Tim. If your ever over here, its well worth the effort to go. boy I can still taste those chocolates ;)