Glenglassaugh 45 years, obviously, comes from the Glenglassaugh distillery located in the Speyside region of Scotland which is owned by the Benriach Distillery Company. Glenglassaugh is one of the smaller distilleries in Scotland with only 1 wash and 1 spirit still to their name, but despite this fact they’re still able to produce over 1.1 million liters (291K gallons) of alcohol each year.
According to Malt Madness, Glenglassaugh has been closed more than it’s been open since its founding in 1875. The years it was actually functional are 1875-1908, 1960-1986 and 2008-Present. Most of their whisky in the beginning went into Teacher’s blends and after re-opening in the 60s most of their whisky went into Cutty Sark and Famous Grouse. Today I’m not sure what most of their whiskey gets blended into, but what I do know is that this Glenglassaugh 45 years is tasty as can be and comes from a distillation run done 6 years after their first re-openeing.
Glenglassaugh 45 years Info
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Distiller: Glenglassaugh
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: refill Sherry Hogshead
Age: 45 years (1966 – 2011)
ABV: 49.2%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $2,300+
Glenglassaugh 45 years Review
EYE
Light caramel
NOSE
Fruity, woody, inky, nutty, toffee, brûlée, red licorice and raisiny fruit cake with a light saline quality. The aroma here is interesting and complex. It has a heaviness about it.
PALATE
Across the palate it’s a complex fruit bomb layered with wood, malt, vanilla, citrus oil, dusty spice and earth with a complex undertone of dark sweets (caramel, toffee, butterscotch, brown sugar, etc.).
FINISH
Long and fruity with pockets of wood, spice, malt, cherry coke and a light earthiness.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, a rich round body and a silken feel.
OVERALL
Glenglassaugh 45 years is a fantastic whisky. It’s rich and full, holding court like an elder statesman across the senses. Complex waves of fruit, oak and sweets move through gracefully even at cask strength. Though due to its age the uncut proof of this whisky is 98.4 which is just perfect for sipping without needing any water to help cut the alcohol and open it up a bit.
However, if you do add a bit of water to the Glenglassaugh 45 years it enhances the overall character and notes of dark chocolate emerge along with a heavier presence for the citrus. It’s a fascinating whisky to work through and should you ever get the chance to try it take your time. It spent 45 years in a cask and then went into a bottle so give it some time to stretch its legs after it hits your glass.
SCORE: 90-92/100 (A-, not consumed at home)
