GLENGLASSAUGH UNVEILS ULTIMATE COASTAL TREASURE WITH NEW 50 YEAR OLD

The Highland hidden gem that is Glenglassaugh lay silent for over two decades before being reawakened in 2008. Since then, the small, coastal distillery has released a range of award-winning boutique whiskies and now celebrates the release of one of its oldest and rarest expressions.

Shaped by the influences of land and sea for over half a century, Glenglassaugh 50 Year Old has gently matured in the distillery’s coastal warehouses overlooking the rolling surf of Sandend Bay.

The rare expression, of which there are just 264 bottles available, has been bottled from a single Pedro Ximénez sherry cask from Andalucīa in Spain. After breathing in the elements of the North Sea air for over 50 years, the result is a luscious and rich Highland Single Malt with a flavour profile that boasts a symphony of exotic fruit on a gentle ocean breeze.

Selected by Master Blender, Rachel Barrie, who learned to surf as a child on the waves that break below the distillery, the Glenglassaugh 50 Year Old is an inimitable and complex exemplar of the distillery’s lush, coastal spirit.

Earlier this year, the expression was awarded the highest possible accolade of double gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Each bottle is housed in a bespoke presentation box designed to display the bottle and the liquid’s rich tones.

Rachel Barrie, Master Blender at Glenglassaugh Distillery, said:

“A lot can happen in half a century, and this whisky has seen many important milestones whilst maturing in our warehouses. From the distillery being lost then revived 13 years ago to the release of its first core range celebrating its youthful spirit.

“Offering a deep and seductive sweetness, the 50 Year Old’s flavour profile ranges from caramelised pear to soft exotic cherries; almond and refined oak beautifully intertwine to present a symphony of tropical notes on a gentle ocean breeze with rolling waves of flavour, which intensify and evolve with each sip. It’s a privilege to unveil this premium bottling to whisky fans around the world at the beginning of a new chapter for Glenglassaugh celebrating both old and new.”

The Glenglassaugh 50 Year Old is of natural cask colour and bottled at 40.1% ABV. The initial release features 264 bottles that will be available across select international markets in Europe and Asia from June 2021.

About the Glenglassaugh 50 Year Old

UK RRP: £5,500 (GBP) Global markets may vary.

Available at specialist retailers in Europe and Asia.

Tasting notes

Colour: Dark manuka honey

Nose: Deep, seductive layers of sweet almond frangipane, figs and blackberry, carried on a wave of ocean spice, toasted oak and salted honeycomb.

Palette: A complex symphony of cassis and soft exotic fruits with rolling waves of papaya, mango and cherry. Mellow oak and yellow plum add a memorable sophistication to this exceptional rare malt.

Finish: Savour the soft lingering finish of caramelized pear, pineapple and pomegranate, beautifully intertwined with almond and refined oak; on a gentle ocean breeze.

Natural cask colour, bottled at 40.1% ABV.  

About Glenglassaugh Distillery:

On the crescent beach of Sandend Bay stands Glenglassaugh Distillery, producing a luscious coastal malt, shaped by the rich abundance of land and sea, with rolling waves of flavour. A whisky whose essence is distilled from the visible and invisible influences of land, sea, air and spring water. Its heritage stretches back to 1875 when the distillery was founded by Colonel James Moir. It was on the banks of Glassaugh stream that the distillery was built, and its name ‘Glenglassaugh’ – meaning ‘valley of the grey-green place’ – has been taken from its beautiful surroundings. Despite being mothballed for over twenty years, the distillery has a history of elegant maturation, with award-winning old vintages dating back to the 1960s, and an award-winning range of boutique younger whiskies, released in the years following the distillery’s reopening in 2008. As this jewel of a coastal malt is discovered and enjoyed, it promises to become a cult, contemporary classic.  

GLENGLASSAUGH DISTILLERY:

www.glenglassaugh.com

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