Glenglassaugh single malt Scotch whisky is a coastal Highland malt with a fascinating history of long dormancy and dramatic revival. Founded in 1875 by local businessman James Moir, the distillery sits on the shores of Sandend Bay, near the town of Portsoy, on the edge of Speyside. Its location between land and sea has shaped its spirit, which often carries a distinctive maritime influence alongside fruit-forward Highland character.
In its early years, Glenglassaugh produced whisky primarily for blending, gaining a reputation for quality but rarely bottled as a single malt. The distillery operated successfully until 1986, when it was mothballed during a period of oversupply in the whisky industry. For over two decades, the stills lay silent, and Glenglassaugh seemed destined to be a lost name in Scotch whisky.
In 2008, the distillery was revived under new ownership, marking the start of a new chapter. The challenge was that very little mature stock remained, meaning most early post-revival releases were either rare old casks from before the closure or young spirit from the new production. This gave Glenglassaugh a dual identity, highly sought-after vintage bottlings showing decades of maturation, and fresh, vibrant new whiskies that hinted at its future potential.
Glenglassaugh’s production process today aims to capture a rich yet elegant style. The distillery uses unpeated malt for most of its production, though it also runs peated campaigns, producing spirit with a smoky coastal edge. Water is drawn from nearby springs, and long fermentation develops fruity and floral complexity. Distillation in traditional copper pot stills yields a full-bodied, oily spirit well suited to both bourbon and sherry cask maturation.
The location on Sandend Bay plays a significant role in shaping Glenglassaugh’s profile. The coastal warehouses, exposed to sea air, impart subtle maritime notes of salt and sea breeze to the maturing whisky, making it stand out among Highland malts.
The core range, relaunched in 2023 under master blender Rachel Barrie, includes:
• Glenglassaugh Sandend - unpeated and matured in bourbon, sherry, and manzanilla casks, with creamy toffee, tropical fruit, and maritime freshness.
• Glenglassaugh Portsoy - a richer, peated style with dark chocolate, treacle, and coastal smoke.
• Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old - a balance of fruit, malt sweetness, and gentle coastal influence.
Older expressions, including 30-, 40-, and even 50-year-old bottlings from pre-closure stock, are exceptionally rare and prized by collectors for their complexity and historical significance. Independent bottlings are uncommon, but when available, they often showcase the distillery’s maritime character in both unpeated and peated forms.
Flavour-wise, Glenglassaugh’s unpeated style tends toward ripe tropical fruit, honey, vanilla, and soft malt, with a background of sea air. Peated releases add earthy smoke, coastal brine, and richer dark fruit notes. The combination of maritime freshness and full-bodied texture makes it a versatile whisky that appeals to both Highland and Islay drinkers.
Our Glenglassaugh Single Malt Scotch Whisky selection includes the modern core range, limited coastal-inspired releases, and rare old vintages from before the distillery’s long closure. Whether you’re exploring its reborn spirit or seeking a piece of Scotch whisky history, Glenglassaugh offers a captivating journey from the shores of Sandend Bay.
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