Glenkinchie 12 Year Review
In-Depth Review
Scotland may be the home to over 150 different licensed distilleries, but it may surprise you to find out that there aren’t many within a short distance from Edinburgh. The closest to the city would be Glenkinchie – one of the key contributors to Johnnie Walker blends. Glenkinchie is one of the few remaining Lowland distilleries and is known for its floral, grassy, creamy malt character. But if you’ve never heard of Glenkinchie – you’re not alone. While it may be one of the better-known distilleries in the Lowlands, it’s hardly a household name.
Sadly, Glenkinchie is so important to Johnnie Walker blends that very little of it is ever bottled on its own. In fact, the 12 year old Glenkinchie release we are diving into today is the only consistently available bottling from the distillery. It features a 43% ABV and an MSRP of around $70 (near me in CA) which makes it significantly more expensive than some of the more mainstream 12 year olds out on the market today. And while it’s “available”, it’s definitely one of the harder to find malts within Diageo’s portfolio. But is it worth seeking out and shelling out a little more coin? Let’s dive in and find out.
Age: 12 years old
ABV: 43%
Cask: N/A
MSRP: $70
Distillery Name: Glenkinchie Distillery
Review Date: 8/22/25
Color: Medium Straw
Nose: This is a great first impression – the nose starts with waves of tropical fruit and vanilla cream and immediately makes my mouth water. There’s fresh cut melon, coconut, and a touch of zesty citrus. It’s refreshing and light, with its mouthwateringly fruity nose eventually settling into a lovely Almond Joy character.
Palate: On the palate, the citrus from the nose makes a return with a strong lemon tartness that mixes with demerara sugar, old cinnamon, and a big dollop of honey. There’s also an undercurrent of floral sweetness, and a light maltiness that adds a bit of depth. As it fades into the finish a hint of a sherry rancio pokes through. The mouthfeel has a medium body with a bigger kick of heat than I was expecting from 86 proof.
Finish: Medium length finish with notes of green apple, spiced wine, and white pepper. The acidity from the palate remains and provides a nice tart finish that clings to the top of the tongue and lingers between sips.
Final Thoughts: It’s almost a shame that Glenkinchie is one of the cornerstones of the Johnnie Walker blends because there is so much to like here, I wish we could see more from this distillery. While the Glenkinchie 12 may be their only permanently available malt, it’s a banger of a 12 year old and well worth seeking out. There’s more depth of flavor and character than I was expecting, making this expression feel like a major step up from a Glenfiddich 12 or Glenlivet 12. The higher heat makes it a perfect pour over an ice cube on a warm summer evening. And even at a slightly elevated price, Glenkinchie 12 is one of those drams that could make a perfect gift for someone who may be looking to (slightly) step out of the scotch whisky comfort zone.
