Glenkinchie 27 Year Old "The Floral Treasure" Review (Diageo Special Releases 2023)

For the eight whiskies in the Diageo Special Releases 2023, Dr. Stuart Morrison, Diageo’s master blender, drew inspiration from cultures around the globe under the theme Spirited Xchange. For one of the oldest whiskies in the series to date, the muse comes from China. Discover how Chinese artistry intertwines with this Scottish single malt in this Glenkinchie 27 Year Old The Floral Treasure Review.

This year, Diageo offers a remarkable “inaugural” release with the Roseisle 12 Years Old The Origami Kite. There’s another standout in the Special Releases collection too: Glenkinchie The Floral Treasure. At 27 years old, it’s among the oldest whiskies in the lineup—a celebration in itself for anyone who loves age-stated drams.

In fact, it’s one of the oldest official Glenkinchie bottlings you’re likely to encounter, and the oldest expression to come directly from the distillery. Among the 2023 Special Releases, it’s also one of the more limited bottlings. Only 500 bottles exist, making it a tempting target for collectors to secure quickly.

This Lowlands whisky matured in American and European oak casks and, after a long slumber, was bottled at its natural cask strength of 58.3 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). The result is a delicate trove of floral tones, intertwined with gentle spice—perfectly befitting its name, The Floral Treasure.

For the label and tube, Glenkinchie features artwork by Chinese artist Dong Qiu. His work blends classical motifs, modern color palettes, and Chinese artistry to create painterly scenes—and this whisky’s design is no exception.

A Chinese vase with intricate motifs gleams on the bottle, accompanied by a butterfly and cherry blossom to underscore the whisky’s floral and delicate character. The design radiates calm, luxury, and craftsmanship.

The deep golden liquid is slightly creamy in the glass. On the nose, a fresh, floral mix of citrus, crisp green apple, and grass arrives immediately. With a little time, it turns just a touch sweeter.

The first sip is sweet. After a few seconds on the tongue, a bright, tart note emerges, as if you’ve just bitten into an Elstar apple. At the same time, the whisky brings a drying sensation, with hints of spice like cinnamon appearing. It’s well balanced and leads beautifully into The Floral Treasure’s medium-long finish. As the sip fades, a hint of honey and a wisp of toffee glide in, making for a graceful close.

Add a drop of water, which we recommend for any cask-strength whisky, and Glenkinchie opens like a flower, revealing more sweetness on the nose, palate, and finish, while the spicy side steps back.

Glenkinchie 27 Year Old The Floral Treasure is clearly aimed at lovers of sweeter whiskies. It begins floral on the nose and palate, but spice from the casks provides a lovely balance in the dram. For collectors, the scarcity and age are especially appealing, though anyone who appreciates Lowland whiskies will find much to enjoy in this Glenkinchie.

+ A wonderfully floral dram

+ Desirable for collectors thanks to its rarity and age

+ Lovely notes in the finish

- Decide quickly, limited quantities available