Glenglassaugh 33yo, 1979
If a distillery could have a run of bad luck, Glenglassaugh certainly qualifies.
Built 1875, but nearly silent between 1908 and 1960, and again after 1986. Purchased from the Edrington Group in 2008, the Scaent group refurbished the distillery, released a few bottlings, then sold it to the Benriach Distillery Company in March 2013 – making it today, sister to Benriach and Glendronach.
This one is distilled 1979 and sat, contemplating the vagaries of the industry, 33 years in a hogshead.
Glenglassaugh 33 yo, 1979 Signatory cask 1548 44.2%
Nose: Cut grass, ripe peaches. Fresh and effervescent with lime peel. Flinty. Then murraya and something like fresh pressed mandarin oil, and warm cream. Spearmint. Old brown wrapping paper at the back of the nose. Very different from the sherried and peated whiskies I’ve had a slew of of late. Something about a good refill cask allows you a glimpse into distillery character. With a bit of water: No change.
Palette: Green pears and.. chai infused white tea? Hot. Dry. With a twist of lemon. Almond oil. Not a weighty dram, but I think buoyant, with clear cutting flavours. Pristine on the tongue. Turns astringent, like herbal bitters.
Finish: Long, dry and herbal. Basil?
This is like a minerally dry white wine on steroids, it could cut through anything. Stylistically, somewhere between a speysider and a highlander? But for sure – beautifully composed.
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