Smooth sailing with Glenglassaugh on a PX-cask
It has been a long while since I tasted Glenglassaugh. The whisky from the North Sea coast has not even featured on this blog yet, until today. The distillery slipped under my radar ever since my visit to the site in 2013, en 2011 before that. It was a wonderful operation back then, run by Billy Walker for a while, and then sold on to Brown-Forman, who also owns Glendronach and Benriach. I could imagine that Walker plucked the stocks for excellent whisky and then had no interest in continuing his operation. We have indeed seen some stunning old whisky released from the charming warehouses near the North Sea. In recent times, new official releases have been created, I just have to find samples of them to really explore them. I have heard good sounds about these expressions, so we have high hopes. Today, we examine an independently bottled Glenglassaugh.
Glenglassaugh 10 years old, bottled at 55,8 % abv by Whiskydudes
First things first: This Glenglassaugh was distilled on 8 September 2014 and bottled on 17 February 2025. It matured on a refill bourbon barrel before it was transferred to a 2nd fill PX hogshead for about 4 years. So, almost a double maturation here. Exactly 90 bottles from cask #195 were released for the Dutch festival Whisky in het Fort 2025.
Upon Sipping: Nice, regular, golden brown colour on this single malt from the North Sea coastline. On opening, the aroma is not really pronounced, but some kind of mellow mix between salinity, sherried fruitiness and delicate wood notes makes for a charming entrance. With a drop of water we will probably find more! On the palate, the sweetness and syrupy character of the PX is felt straight away, making for a very classic sherried dram. Maple syrup indeed, with hints of apricot and light vanilla, and a very pure and crystalline finish that gives deep, dark purple cherries a podium. Good stuff, dudes! With water, more orchard fruits rise from the glass, a bit narrow but it is all there. A coastal edge is faintly noticeable, which must be the Glenglassaugh soul trying to fight the intrusive PX influence. If you have ever been to the distillery, with its rolling hills and dunes around it, this expression will take you right back. The taste suffers a little from the water, making it feel a bit like copper with hints of sour sauce. Undiluted is the way to go.
Word to the Wise: This Glenglassaugh walks a tight rope between balance and distortion. For me, it works best when undiluted, but with water the nose gets all the more beautiful. So yeah, at times a very good single malt, at others a bit unbalanced, but as a single cask it delivers adventure.
Score: 86 points.