The Final Manager’s Legacy and Sherry Octaves

Manager’s Legacy

The final release in this popular series of single cask bottling is now available. The idea behind the series was to celebrate the contribution of the managers who had created the spirit that we are now bottling, which I believe is something that is often overlooked when new products are developed. It is much easier just to use the present day incumbent even though he will have had no contribution to the original spirit.

During my time with Highland Distilleries in the 1980’s I had had the privilege of knowing and working with three of these managers and so wanted to do something that meant their story lived on and the most fitting way of doing this was to chose one cask from each of their respective periods of being in charge and then bottle the whisky.

The first two releases in the series “Dod Cameron” and “Jim Cryle” are now both sold out, while the third one “Bert Forsyth” was released in January. I did not know Bert previously but  met him during the research for the project and he still lives in Rothes, in the heart of Speyside and continues his interest in Glenglassaugh. I instantly liked him and found his story fascinating and I think that the whisky which is fruity and complex is a fitting tribute to him.

Walter Grant  is the man who as Production Director of Highland, employed me in my first distillery management role when he took a chance on a 28 year old to become the manager of Highland Park in 1984. He is no longer with us but I believe that the 43 year old whisky which was chosen from a 1968 cask with its sherry influence and elegant qualities sums up his character and I am sure that he would have enjoyed it.

Walter Grant Retirement 1986

Jim Cryle (2nd Left Middle Row), Dod Cameron (with glasses, 4th Left Middle Row),Stuart Nickerson (with beard beside Dod), Walter Grant (seated front row with decanter).

101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die

A great little book that has taken on an almost cult status as many people are working their way through all of the whiskies in the book. We feature 3 times in the book with the 26 Year Old and “The Spirit Drink That Dare Not Speak Its Name” in the main list while Ian also states in the forward that he would have liked to include the Glenglassaugh 40 Year Old (original single cask bottling which won the IWSR Best 40 Year Old Trophy in 2009) but the price of the product was above that which he wanted for products in the list.

I am very pleased that the book has done so well because I also found it very easy to read and very enjoyable and because I like Ian and he deserves the success.

An Opportunity to Purchase Special Octaves.

Following a number of requests, we can now offer ex-Sherry Octaves for filling. These will be priced at £100.00 more than the existing Octaves which means £600.00 for non-peated spirit and £700.00 for peated spirit.

They are being delivered direct from Spain and consequently there is a long delivery time with the casks only arriving around 4 months after we place the order.

If you are interested in one of these Octaves then please let us know by the end of March, at which time we will place a bulk order. We have modified the order form and it is now available for download from the website.

Slange

Stuart

Visi Glenglassaugh Distillery and Stuart’s blog at http://www.glenglassaugh.com/News/Blog/?p=417