Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old

Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old

Glenglassaugh sits on Scotland's east coast at Sandend Bay, near Portsoy in the Highlands. Founded in 1875, it fell silent in 1986 before being revived in 2008. This 12 Year Old, launched in 2023, is the distillery's flagship expression under master blender Rachel Barrie, drawn from a selection of bourbon, sherry and red wine casks. Bottled at 45% ABV.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Fresh coastal, maritime notes balanced by sweet stone fruit, apricot, peach and stewed fig. Toasted vanilla, honey and buttery pastry, with a touch of tropical flora.

Palate: Sweet and creamy, pistachio, vanilla and fig, moving into tart morello cherry and plum. Some red wine tannin gives it structure, with a little coastal salt in the background.

Finish: Medium length, oak and vanilla, with the wine tannins lingering longest alongside a hint of sea salt.

A great showcase of what the sea air does to a whisky. The red wine cask influence makes this stand out from the usual bourbon and sherry combination, giving it a fruitier, slightly tannic edge that's genuinely distinctive.