Glenglassaugh 12-year-old

Batch: 2023/05/10 09:08 LT11123 > First review Very high quality stuff. A truly intriguing combination of eccentric earthy/mineral and dirty notes (reminiscent of Edradour or Meikle Toir), saline/coastal/seafood notes (like Old Pulteney Flotilla, Clynelish 14, or Oban 14), funky red wine notes (similar to Port Charlotte Scottish Barley, Glenallachie 10, or Ledaig Rioja), and friendlier, sweeter sherry notes (similar to Glendronach 15 or Arran The Bodega). It has a very subtle smoky/toasty/tobacco touch. Add to that licorice, citrus, malt, vanilla, dried fruit, cinnamon, blueberries, wild/forest notes, chocolate, leather, spicy oak, figs, white grapes, strawberries, natural mineral water... Like smelling the sea breeze that, carrying the aromas of the neighboring vineyard, seeps into a musty rural cellar to delight us. Surprisingly complex, and with a complexity that is competent, solid, and balanced. On the palate, the range and depth of sensations exude quality from every angle: saline, sweet, astringent, spicy, fruity, malty. This is serious business. It has a good punch thanks to its youth, the abundance of tannins from the Pinot Noir, and the peppery notes from the ex-bourbon. It is as saline, or even more so, than the saltiest of Old Pulteneys. It certainly looks younger than it claims to be, but in my opinion, this isn't a bad thing at all. It doesn't need water, nor does it detract from its flavor. The aroma and taste are truly impressive. The aftertaste isn't quite up to par (dry, spicy, and wine-like), but it's not even remotely disappointing and complements the aroma and flavor very well. Flavorful, don't chase the notes, although the best ones are in the background. It has quite a bit of personality despite the seemingly unusual blend of casks. I'd say the Glenglassaugh distillate is one of those that needs more years in cask than usual; it seems designed to mature for at least 15 years. I bet their older vintage bottlings, and also their cask strength bottlings, will be spectacular (if they ever materialize, lol). In short, it's a maritime, urbanized Edradour, a salty, dirty Glendronach, a sherried and earthy Old Pulteney, and a light Clynelish with red berry jam. I think it's a real success; I personally find it delicious, and I believe Glenglassaugh should be proud of this bottling. Lovely stuff. > Final review Glenglassaugh is a distillery that spent over two decades in silence, mothballed between 1986 and 2008, and whose modern era is therefore still in its relative infancy. This 12yo is the flagship of a newly relaunched core range and, crucially, the only age-stated expression of the three; In my opinion, it is by far the best of them. Let's take a quick look. Notes: Right away, you can tell this is very high-quality stuff. A more-than-interesting combination of eccentric earthy and dirty notes (reminiscent of Edradour or Meikle Toir), saline, coastal, mineral, and seafood-like aromas (like Old Pulteney Flotilla, Clynelish 14 or Oban 14), funky red wine notes (similar to Port Charlotte Scottish Barley, GlenAllachie 10 or Ledaig Rioja), and more approachable, sweeter sherried notes (akin to Glendronach 15 or Arran The Winery). It also shows a very subtle smoky or toasted touch. You get a citrus-driven profile (orange juice), with vanilla and malt as a base, on top of which rises a wide array of elegant and finely woven notes: gentle and slightly astringent red fruits like blueberries and strawberries, with some white grape and jammy layers; aromatic and very gentle hints of liquorice, nuts, cinnamon, toffee; light wild foresty notes add depth; gentle chocolate, leather, figs, and dirty earthy notes bring richness; slightly spicy oak, along with a very distant touch of coffee, provides counterbalance; all of this floating over delicious notes of sea breeze and a hint of salty oysters. The successful combination of sweet and salty notes automatically makes me enjoy it probably more than it deserves. On the nose, it's like smelling the sea breeze carrying the aromas of a nearby vineyard into a damp rural cellar. On the palate, it shows a level of complexity and elegance that feels quite risky in a time when bold flavors dominate the whisky market, and I deeply appreciate that. The range and depth of sensations ooze quality from every angle: saline, sweet, astringent, spicy, fruity, malty. The finish is also fantastic, although not quite as balanced as the rest. Thoughts: Very delicate but surprisingly complex, and in a way that is competent, solid, and well-balanced. This is serious business; the profile clearly points to a deliberate and intentional design. It has a nice punch thanks to its youth, the abundance of tannins from the Pinot Noir casks, and the pepper from the ex-bourbon. It is as salty as, or even saltier than, the saltiest Old Pulteney, and it combines those notes with other flavor territories not usually found in the same bottle: dirty, jammy, earthy... Yet everything remains very gentle and well integrated, allowing you to explore it at your leisure, since nothing jumps out or immediately grabs your attention. Although the aroma and palate are genuinely impressive, the aftertaste doesn't quite live up to them (dry, spicy, and wine-driven), but it's not remotely disappointing and actually complements the experience well, as it invites you to take another sip and repeat the cycle. It definitely seems younger than its stated age, but in my opinion this doesn't result in any off-notes. It doesn't need water, although it doesn't suffer from it either. Despite being a gentle dram (and in that sense it reminds me of Arran), it is flavorful; you don't have to chase the notes, even if much of its complexity sits in the background. It has quite a bit of personality despite the seemingly odd mix of casks. I would say Glenglassaugh's distillate shows tremendous potential. I'd bet their future older releases, especially at cask strength, will be spectacular (if they ever materialize, lol). I also think that, for now, Glenglassaugh is still feeling his way forward, with those three initial bottlings showing completely different profiles. It's a shame to see how the two NAS releases receive much more praise than this 12yo, precisely because they are simpler, easier to describe, bold, and straightforward. That makes me fear the worst: that the distillery might lean toward producing that kind of bottling, which I personally find difficult to enjoy, leaving behind this gentle, complex, elegant, and sophisticated, yet more nuanced and harder-to-describe side of the distillery represented by this 12yo. In short, it's a maritime, urbanized Edradour; a salty, dirty Glendronach; a sherried and earthy Old Pulteney; a light Clynelish covered in red fruit jam. I think it's a real success. I personally find it delicious, and I believe Glenglassaugh should be proud of this bottling. Amazing stuff.

Smells fruity. Doesn't burn. Tastes really good for €45, fruity. Subtle salt...delicious...great opener for the price.

Quick hit review. I was not the greatest fan of Glenglassaugh Sandend, but this 12-year-old expression I enjoy even less. Rachel Barrie seems to like red wine casks more than I do. On the nose, I'm getting grapes, pears and unripe banana, followed by toffee, currants and mild citrus zest. An ocean breeze? Well, maybe. It is a bit prickly but overall pleasant. The sweet and sour arrival unfolds with blackberries, dry oak and hints of menthol - the acidity and dryness of the red wine casks predominate. Overbrewed tea, pink grapefruit and resin mark the long and bitter finish - this is like chewing on wood. It started promisingly, but as usual, the wine casks spoiled it. RATING: 3.2/5.0 stars ≙ 81 pts → AVERAGE [+]

Good first impression, the distillery character comes through well, the red wine barrels are the most prominent of the barrels. I'm actually not a fan of red wine barrel aged whiskies, but I like the result here quite a lot. Very round and balanced. The 46% fit perfectly, no stinging, not watery either. Pleasant toasted notes and dried fruit come through on the finish (maybe even a bit of smoke?).

More like Oloroso, this Sherry. Bark, elastic, quince jam, candied apricots, raspberries, redcurrants, cranberries, cinnamon, heather in the background, beautiful exotic woody notes. A little light but very fruity on the palate, plums of all colors, morello cherries, raisins, figs and dates, tannins, spices with a certain fullness, nutmeg, cardamom, white pepper. Grandiose, long finish, caramel and charcoal, dead leaves, black earth, warm chestnuts. Cola. I didn't smell much of the red wine barrels, but the Sherry is definitely present. https://ilikesky2020.blogspot.com/2023/09/glenglassaugh-12-yo.html

Slightly floral, herbs and meadow. I don't feel anything from the sherry it seems rather bitter and robust. But overall very interesting...

A very interesting and versatile whisky. Tasty and memorable. One of the most successful 12-year-old commercial releases I have tried recently.

Nose: Soft, creamy vanilla ice cream drizzled with tropical fruits, chocolate, and a touch of sea salt. Palate: A vibrant interplay of salted caramel intertwined with notes of pineapple, cherry, and grapefruit.

Overall, like other Glenglassaughs, this one pleased me much more than I expected. On the nose, it has character; on the palate, it evokes ex bourbon; and in the finish, it reveals sherry and wine barrels. It's truly a complex whisky; finding this quality taste and feel at this price point makes you happy. It's definitely a whisky you can enjoy every day, and anyone who hasn't tried it at a relatively affordable price should definitely give it a try.

The Glenglassaugh 12 is a beautifully crafted single malt. Grain, spice, and fruit sweetness harmonize perfectly. It's well-rounded and balanced, yet still retains a few subtle nuances. The fundamental characteristics of the Glenglassaugh Revival are clearly recognizable. However, its age has made it significantly smoother, softer, and more harmonious. A definite improvement.

Solid standard, no more and no less.

Green apples, herbs, noticeable wood and (x-mas) spices. Some tobacco and leather.

A wonderful, unique, unlike anything else scent. Intense, rich and concentrated taste! A simpler aftertaste! Great whisky for the money! I hope that the level will remain the same over the years! Bravo, Rachel! 22 22.5 21 21

Matured in bourbon, sherry, red wine Color: amber

In terms of taste and aroma, this drink is a cross between Glenrothes and Highland Park. Or The Naked Grouse...

The distillery is located on the East Coast of Scotland, on the shores of the picturesque Sandend Bay, near the village of Portsoy. The production was opened in 1878 on the wave of the whisky boom, it had a difficult fate, associated with a series of closures and resales. The fact is that the spirits had their own unusual, complex character, so it was difficult to get along with others in blends. Production was restored in 2007, and the first spirits were obtained in 2008. It has 2 distillation cubes, the annual distillation of spirits is about 1.1 million liters. Maestro Billy Walker also had a hand in the revival of the distillery; in 2016, it, along with Benriach and GlenDronach, was sold to the American giant Brown Forman, which owns it now. Our release is the first and long-awaited age-stated whisky since the distillery’s relaunch. It is the brainchild of master blender Rachel Barry, Billy Walker’s successor. It is a marriage of spirits matured in bourbon, sherry and red wine casks. Bottled at 45% ABV, it is uncoloured and non-chill filtered. Nose: The aroma is bright, fruity, playful, with a noticeable wine note. Fresh garden fruits, vanilla, dried fruits, sour apple cider vinegar, weathered apple, light minerality, ginger, spices, wine astringent tannins Palate: pleasant, bright, fruity, tart. A basket of fresh garden fruits, a scattering of dried fruits, berry acidity, astringent wine tannins, black pepper, cloves, coffee bitterness, dark chocolate, minerality, damp oak board Finish: the aftertaste is confident, astringent, with dark chocolate, dried fruits, spices, wine tannins Balance: a bright, playful, vaudevillian whisky with a distinct wine influence. It turned out to be quite complex, each type of cask contributed its share to the formation of the overall palette. The release is quite tanned and tart, with a distinct influence of the wine cask. N22,P21,F21,B21

Amber color with reddish accents. Oily structure.

Now it's here, the new Glenglassaugh line. I was really looking forward to this bottling, but to be honest I was hoping for a little more here or wanted a more balanced result with the 12 year old. If I had had this bottling in blind tasting, I would have guessed 6 to 8 years of maturation. All in all, it's a bit of a shame, but I'll still stick with it and try what we get from Glenglassaugh in the coming years.

Beautiful full taste with nuts, rozijnen, leather and fruit. Type Benromach. Excellent price-quality ratio

Color: amber

Great nose, but I can't get to grips with the taste. The finish is then again tangible in terms of taste. After the varied nose, I expected more in terms of taste. What a pity. But I'll test it again. Maybe it will be better then. 2nd attempt malt notes, nothing more

Sufficiently complex, especially in the nose, for its price and age. Has potential for older releases because an evolution in the palette can already be observed.

Nose of orchard fruits, malt, wood and a strong hint of pastry Honeyed mouth, still pastry, this will be the mark of the dram, Malt, wood, hazelnut and cooked vanilla Consensual finish on the same markers for a pleasant finish with roundness on the cooking scents. buttery, oily, hazelnuts, oak wood, sleepers, cherry jam, tobacco, honey, embers

When comparing the new Glenglassaugh Core Range directly, I clearly liked the 12yo best. A really tasty whisky with character. It's round, as you would expect from a Core Range bottling, but it's also not random with its rather dry than sweet appearance and the hint of salt. I really like it and I could imagine a whole bottle.

50+4+8+8+3

Glenglassaugh 12 years, 45% alc. Bottled in 2023. Aged in: Bourbon, sherry and red wine barrels Nose: Mineral and slightly floral, with some spice. Chalk, rock, spiced cherry jam, blackcurrants and sea salt. I also find peanuts and peaches, the spice aroma turns out to be cinnamon. Palate: Initially very soft, almost delicate, the Glenglassaugh becomes strong and slightly spicy. Cherry jam, ginger, roasted almonds, tobacco, grape seeds and cinnamon, followed by mixed pepper. Finish: Medium to long, sultanas, dried currants, charred wood. Conclusion: Core range, age statement and increased drinking strength, this single malt also offers a wide spectrum of aromas. 84/100 points (2024)

A surprisingly good standard whisky. Very suitable for a relaxed evening with friends, especially if the group isn't made up entirely of seasoned whisky connoisseurs.

Solid standards. Of the barrels used, the red wine barrels are the most prominent on the tongue for me.

with water: it tolerates a few drops of water, the red wine and caramel become stronger, some vanilla and a little coconut appear Conclusion: a delicious and pleasing whisky, has the potential for a daily dram. For me personally, the red wine is too prominent, I would have given more space to the sherry and especially the bourbon casks

This was a sample courtesy of Peatbogger. Glenglassaugh isn't on my radar and won't be anytime soon.

Well crafted malt with an independent character.

Glenglassaugh is good. I like it. And the rebranding works - new labels, nice hip flasks, different flavors. Sandend and Portsoy are nice. Believe it or not, but I'm more a fan of the 12y-old. The sherry, bourbon and pinot noir mix works - it gives so many intruiging tastes and scents. All components match like puzzle pieces and this adds to the depth and complexity. Beautiful hidden lactic influences, with sweets, salty touches, barley and even some fruits - like baked bananas. Delicious. I'm a fan!

It’s accessible and a nice introduction to Glenglassaugh.

A 12-year-old whisky with a pretty good aroma and taste. If the ending rhyme can be handled better, 2 more points will be added. I have never had Glenglassaugh before, so it was a bit of a surprise.

COLOR: dark gold (without dye) - a very successful combination of 3 barrel types - aromatic, intense but not overloaded, at the same time pleasing and very tasty - around 45€ is not too much for the quality, definitely a lot recommended 12 year old single malt that not everyone knows (little insider tip)

Slight smokey flavour in the aftertaste

Very decent bottling.

Nice beginner, but I would rather go for a Bunnahabhain 12 or Glendronach 12.

For the price an absolute recommendation. It's the most sherried version of the 3, but it's really well made. Reminds me of older versions of the Glendronach 12 funnily enough. There's something earthy in there that reminds me of peat, but obviously there's no peat in the mix. Also quite a lot of flavour despite the "lower" ABV. Really interesting whisky, almost like a mixture between GD and Pulteney with the salinity.

It's good to see that Glenglassaugh released an official expression with an age statement! The bottle strength of 45% is out of the ordinary, as is the nose. Nothing wrong there in my opinion! I also like the mineral and slightly coastal features of this dram. However, i don't like the red wine influence, which clouds this potentially great dram with a layer of mulled wine.

Locally

N: solid, light fruit, sea breeze, some lemon T: Lemon, dry wood, slightly bitter, malty F: Oak and malt

Because my initial rating of 86 needs to be raised by one point to 87. €40 for what I believe to be an uncolored, non-chill filtered whisky with triple maturation is very fair value for money. And it tastes superb.

It couldn't be easier for a market-ready 12-year-old, to be honest I expected more from Glenglassaugh in terms of this bottling. At least a conciliatory conclusion when comparing the new core range - 08/05/2023

Whisky Live Paris 2023 Intense and subtle! Heart stroke

...great combination of the 3 barrel types - they have created a nice entry into an age range that will hopefully continue upwards... [color:] = amber;

Quite enjoyable new core range bottling which makes it a good alternative to the usual entrys of a beginnners'/intermediate tasting. Personally probably won't need a whole bottle, but like the design, too, so let's see about how forthcoming bottlings turn out - hopefully still somewhat affordable. ;-)

Tendency towards 86

This strikes an impressive balance between aromatic complexity and being easy to like with inviting fruits. It's not a dram that'll challenge you apart from the spicy finish perhaps. The red wine cask influence shows, but it works pretty well. I appreciate that it has so much to offer—I notice a new nuance each time I smell it. I like it quite a bit.

83+ Extremely competent and affordable whisky, full of personality despite its heavy reliance on wine maturation: no major flaws, but definitely not my preferred style. I like it well enough, but will donate the last third of the bottle to a friend that will likely appreciate it more than I ever can/could.

Modern sticky sherry with the unpleasant notes of meat and dusty leather. Not for me. Quite sad about how this one turned out.

Aroma Malty, maritime impressions, sweet The taste Sweet, spicy, berries, astringent resonance Medium length, spicy, dry

24.07.2023

N: sweet and smooth profile, fruity (mainly citrus an garden) and honeyed, also grainy with lots of vanilla, the Sherry is detectable along with slightly spicy oak and caramel T: spicy wood and grain, some grain sugars, fruity-sweet Sherry with nuts, hints of tannins, somewhat modern style F: peppery and oaky, caramel shine through, again the spicy nuts though this time with greenish almonds acceptable for a 12 year old expression

Salted chocolate with fruited malt bread. Matured in ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and ex-red wine casks. Thick slow fast primary legs. Mid-size slow secondary legs. Droplet trails.

Conclusions. A very worthy initial release! Full-bodied, delicate, and very spicy. The wood plays a significant role here and is quite noble. Firstly, there are many varied spicy nuances. Secondly, they are all captivating, and I didn't detect a single one that disappointed me. A rare occurrence. Thirdly, they harmonize beautifully with all the other fragrances. Overall, a very successful release. The youthfulness is certainly noticeable, but it carries itself quite well. Rating: 86/87