Glenkinchie distillery was built on the same site as the Milton distillery which was founded in 1825 by John & George Rate. The distillery was closed in 1853 and converted int oa sawmill by a local farmer.

In 1880-1 The Glenkinchie Distillery Co. was founded and bought the buildings giving birth, or is it rebirth? to Glenkinchie distillery.

Glenkinchie and four other Lowland distilleries merged in 1914 to form SMD (Scottish Malt Distillers) which was later taken over by DCL and eventually became Diageo.

The Glenkinchie floor maltings were closed in 1968 and turned into a distilling museum in 1969.

More great distillery info here thanks to Malt Madness

Photos with kind permission from Alan Jamieson

General whisky characteristics: Soft, gentle, complex

Glenkinchie, (OB), 10y, 40% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Gold

Nose: A leafy country lane after fresh rain with slight citrus notes.

Palate: Very gentle with slight blood orange and some ginger.

Finish: Medium and quite dry with a complex aftertaste.

Overall Impression: Maybe my short notes on the palate don't do this justice, as it seems more complex, or changeable but I can't put my finger on the exact changes in nuance. A good whisky.

Glenkinchie, (OB), 12y, 43% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Reviewed as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Pale yellow gold

Nose: Very creamy vanilla but slightly dusty and leafy at the same time. After some minutes there's a suggestion of mandarin orange.

Palate: The cream and leafiness translate immediately to the palate, but also with the stronger flavours of liquorice and something quite herbal. That manadrin orange re-appears right at the end leading into the finish.

Finish: Medium to long and quite creamy

Overall Impression: An enjoyable whisky, better than the previous 10y version thanks to 43% and a couple of extra years.

Glenkinchie, (OB), 20y, 55.1% ABV

Matured in American Oak

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Reviewed as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Very pale yellow gold

Nose: This begins with almost, but not quite so smoky vanilla, then the vanilla grows as the hint of almost smokiness fades. Suddenly a herbal mixture of basil and rosemary raise their heads to say hello, but are then replaced by that hint of almost smokiness again. Overall, this is mainly lightly herbal vanilla with some extra suggestions that try to be smoky.

Palate: Very similar to the nose with lots happening as vanilla and biscuit initially greet the palate, followed by a lightly herbal leafiness and fruitiness.

Finish: Medium to long

Overall Impression: There's definitely lots happening in this whisky, but is it just a tad uncoordinated?

Glenkinchie, (OB), 1996-2010, 43% ABV

Distiller's Edition, finished in Amontillado casks

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Reviewed as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Golden yellow

Nose: Quite dry with a penetrating leafiness. After 2-3 minutes the dryness continues but now with a partnering woodiness which is more like ash or beech wood than oak. The nose then progresses to include some cherry notes.

Palate: Initially lots of vanilla and fruit, even a little citrus as hints of lime accompany apple and berries. There are also hints of herbs and light spices.

Finish: Very long

Overall Impression: A thoroughly enjoyable and very good whisky. Excellent value for money too.