Editor’s Note: This whisky was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Scotland’s Glenglassaugh distillery, which we had the chance to visit a few years back after it was acquired as part of a trio of Scottish distilleries by Brown-Forman, is one with a quiet but very storied history. Located just outside the Speyside region in northeast Scotland, Glenglassaugh is a coastal distillery set just adjacent to the shores of Sandend Bay. Founded in 1875 by local businessman James Moir, the distillery’s journey through history waxed and waned over the years, with long periods of closure (1907-1959, 1986-2008) in between.
Acquired in 2016 by Brown-Forman alongside sister distilleries BenRiach and GlenDronach, Glenglassaugh fully relaunched a core range of three single malt expressions just this last year under the guidance of Master Blender Rachel Barrie and Assistant Blender Kirsten Ainslie. The whisky from here is aged in traditional dunnage warehouses influenced by the North Sea air, giving it a maritime influence in the tasting profile.
Of note with Glenglassaugh is the mineral-rich spring water sourced from the nearby Glassaugh spring, a newer, angular glass-paneled stillhouse, and the sheer history of the place. All of these influence the “new” core expressions, of which I’m reviewing here today Glenglassaugh 12 Years Old. This is the only age statement labeled expression in this permanent range, having matured at least a dozen years in a combination of bourbon, sherry, and red wine casks.
Glenglassaugh 12 Years Old, bottled at 45% ABV, is pricing at $65.
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