The End of 2009 Travels?

Well after my travels of the last few months I have no other trips planned for the next few week and so I should be back at the distillery for most of the time between now and Christmas.

Last week I was touring Sweden visiting Habost WF on Sunday 29th November, Mönsteräs Malt Club on Monday, Ronneby Whiskey Company on Tuesday 1st December, Black River Whiskey Society on Wednesday and finishing with Beatha Friends on Thursday. It was a great tour and I met many people who have bought octave casks from us and many others who are interested in purchasing one. Hospitality was fantastic and after consuming 3 Christmas dinners in 3 days I now realise that December can be a long, and enjoyable, month in Sweden.

In 1875, when Glenglassaugh was originally started, peat was used for drying the malted barley, as it was in all malt distilleries at that time. However the practice stopped at most distilleries, including Glenglassaugh, and we currently use un-peated malt. We felt that since we have been producing for a year, 4th December was the anniversary of the first spirit run from the refurbished distillery, we should take the opportunity to try and make spirit closer to that which would have been produced 100 years ago. We are therefore producing spirit using peated malt, for 1 week , which will be carefully matured and monitored. We will let you know how this progresses over the coming months.

I saw an advert for another whisky company who is selling Octaves, in Whisky Magazine this month while in the middle of the year, just after we had successfully launched “The Spirit Drink that dare not speak its name” a well-known distillery canvassed its customers on whether it should start bottling its new make spirit. Now I am not saying that we were the first company to develop these products but I do think that our success in these areas is making others think that there are opportunities to develop similarly. I will take it as a sign that we are doing some things right, especially as I have the highest regard for the 2 companies and the individuals involved.

As usual please feel free to comment.   

Stuart                  

Please visit Glenglassaugh Distillery at  http://www.glenglassaugh.com/