Glenglassaugh 2009 Rare Cask 7 Year

Glenglassaugh (pronounced: glen-glass-oh) is one of those distilleries that refuses to die off – thank the whisky gods for that! The distillery has opened and closed 7 times since opening in 1875. In 2013, Glenglassaugh was acquired by BenRiach Distillery Company Limited which brought the distillery back to life and making a mark on the single malt map. This Rare Cask Release was one of the first releases since the new ownership (NOTE: BenRiach Distillery Company Limited has since been acquired by Brown-Forman in 2016).

The first thing you might notice is the rich [natural] color of this relatively young whisky. The 2009 Rare Cask Release was distilled by Billy Walker in February 2009, bottled at a cask strength of 54.7% in November 2016. The release was limited to 155 bottles exclusive to the UK market.

BOTTLE INFO

Distiller: Glenglassaugh
Region: Highlands
ABV: 54.7%
Outturn: 155 Bottles
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask Type: Sherry
Age: 7 Years
Chill Filtered: No
Color Added: No
Color: Brown Sherry

TASTING NOTES

Glass for Review: Spiegelau Nosing Glass
Nose: Very rich nose, full of fresh pastries, toffee, and whip cream. As it airs out and opens up, grassy and herbal notes are more present. Toasted oak notes linger.
Palate: Spice and oak right off, followed by light cigar notes. Sherry becomes present unfolding into currants, allspice, and dates.
Finish: The spice and oak from the palate lingers for a fairly tannic, but long lingering finish. The alcohol leaves a slight tingle on the lips. An ever-so slight hint of floral notes.
Overall: The young age of this expression is apparent with the spice and rawness of this whisky. I find this dram hit or miss, some nights I think it’s a fantastic night cap, other nights it feels a little raw and unbalanced.

Average Price: $160USD (secondary market; exclusive to UK)