Scotland’s Glenglassaugh distillery, much like parent owner Benriach, is starting to explore the use of smaller casks in order to extract more flavor from wood in a shorter time. To this end it introduced recently its new Glenglassaugh Octaves bottlings.
Two whiskies make up the Glenglassaugh Octaves expressions, according to the distillery, including Octaves Classic and Octaves Peated. Both are non-age stated and bottled at 44% ABV after being matured in octave casks, which are made from staves of a used cask and are approximately 1/8th the size of a butt.
“These wonderfully smooth Glenglassaugh single malts are matured in top-quality octave casks which bring a new depth of flavor,” said sales director Alistair Walker in a statement. “And as the whisky has been neither coloured nor chill filtered, the original flavours, nuances and textures remain absolutely unchanged. The result in both cases is a complex and hugely satisfying dram.”
Tasting notes for both non-chill filtered and natural color Glenglassaugh Octaves offerings are below. They should be available shortly.
Octaves Classic:
Color – Rich golden amber.
Nose – Sherbet and candy apples with a gentle warmth of white pepper and cinnamon.
Palate – A vibrant green apple skin note balances with stewed yellow plums and hints of black vanilla pod. Clean, freshly sawn oak softens to crisp, sweet barley in the long finish.
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Finish – A delicious combination of citrus and sweet notes complement the unique oak characteristics from the octave cask maturation.
Octaves Peated:
Color – Bright autumn gold.
Nose – A dollop of rich clotted cream spread over apple crumble, infused with delicious, sweet waves of heather burning on the hillside.
Palate – Apricot jam and greengage plums contrast with the warmth of freshly cracked black pepper. A subtle and delicate smouldering peat ember smokiness flows through the palate.
Finish – The delicate, sweet nature of Highland peat marries harmoniously with the distinctive spirit and cask interaction found in octave maturation.
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