'Duncan's Dram', a 17 years old single cask whisky, has been bottled for Duncan McNicoll, who retired in January 2020 after working at the distillery for 43 years. After beginning his career as a mashman in 1977, aged 20, he then worked as a stillman before stepping up to the assistant distillery manager role. His connection to the distillery runs deeper than his job; he lives next door and his children were born and grew up on the site.
When asked by Glengoyne to select one cask from the warehouse to be bottled under his own name, Duncan picked cask number 561, which was filled on 24 April 2002. The single cask bottling was matured in an American oak sherry butt, which the distillery says has imparted a toffee colour, aromas of red apple, rosehip and vanilla fudge, and a spicy, oaky palate with flavours of dark brown sugar and lemon marmalade.
Duncan said: "While sad to be leaving the Glengoyne team, I have loved every minute of working here. It's been such a massive part of my list, as well as my family's. To be asked to personally select a cask for release is a true honour."
Robin Hughes, group distillation manager at Ian Macleod Distillers, said: "Duncan has been a beloved member of the Glengoyne family for more than 40 years, so we felt there was no better way to honour his legacy than to release a whisky in his name, bottled from his favourite cask."
The Glengoyne 17 Years Old Single Cask is available from the distillery shop and the Glengoyne website, along with the remaining limited stock of Glengoyne's numbered bottles, of which there were 520 in total.