Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old is a single malt Scotch whisky that showcases the unique coastal character of its distillery, nestled on the shores of Scotland’s Moray Firth. Aged for 12 years in a combination of ex-bourbon, sherry, and red wine casks, it offers a balanced yet complex profile, of fruit, toffee, a hint of sea breeze and even a slightly sulphurous/smoky note. This expression exemplifies the rebirth of a once-forgotten distillery, now celebrated for its refined craftsmanship and dedication to traditional whisky-making techniques.
TL;DR if you’re a fan of Oban or Highland Park, this is for you.
Review: Flavor Camp
Photo: Reece Sims
Flavor Camps
Overall Rating
Total Score: 40.5/50
Aroma: 8/9
Taste: 7/9
Finish: 4/5
Distinctiveness: 4/5
Overall Drinkability/Balance: 7.5/9
Value for Price: 6/8
Appearance: 4/5
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Straw - The new version of the Glenglassaugh bottle features a sleek, modern design with a taller, slimmer profile. Each bottle is designed to reflect the ripples of sand found on the nearby beach, reflecting their coastal influence.
- Aroma: There's a lot going on in the glass! Juicy peaches and other nectarous fruit drizzled in honey, cashew nuts and danishes, a kiss of vanilla and honeysuckle. There's also a slight saline note.
- Taste & Mouthfeel: The palate is heathery, earthy, and slightly wine-y. It's like walking through an orchard by the seaside. Once again, this is a breakfast whisky with a complex, but fascinating balance of flavors.
- Finish: There is a ashy (smoky) note on the finish with some tobacco bite.
- Distinctiveness: There's a distinctive coastal influence. Again, it's like walking through an orchard near the seaside shortly after a beach fire was put out.
- Overall Drinkability & Balance: Very dynamic and balanced - it feels like with each subsequent sniff and sip you're experiencing a new tasting note.
Product Details
- Distiller: Glenglassaugh Distillery
- Type: Single Malt
- Age: 12 Years Old
- Still Type: Copper Pot Stills
- Cask Type(s): Ex-Bourbon, Sherry & Red Wine Casks
- Origin: Portsoy, Scotland (Highlands)
- Composition: 100% Malted Barley
- ABV: 45%
- # of Distillations: 2
- Price: $105.99 CAD (2024)
Comments / Notes:
- Glenglassaugh was originally founded in 1875 but was closed in 1986. It was revived in 2008 after being purchased and restored by the BenRiach Distillery Company (Brown Forman).
- The distillery’s location on the Aberdeenshire coast imparts a subtle maritime character to its whiskies, contributing to their unique flavor profiles.
- “Glenglassaugh” is derived from Scottish Gaelic, meaning “Valley of the Grey Stream.” It reflects the distillery’s picturesque setting and its connection to the local landscape.
- Crushable / Daily Drinker
- Cocktail Worthy
- Special Occasion Sipper Only
- Weird & Wonderful
- Skip It
Food Pairing Recommendations: Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies,
Cocktail Recommendations: Anything with Citrus, especially a riff on a Salty Dog. Mamie Taylor.
