Now, everything is back on track, so let’s  tackle the fine Portsoy whisky finished in Crimean sweet wine casks in a head to head. They spent most of their time in refill casks before, then about 18 months of finishing was conducted.

Glenglassaugh 45 y.o. Massandra Collection 1967 Red Port Style Finish, 50,2%

This oldest version reveals the same style like the other 1960ies distillates, which is more than a good thing. It is by far the deepest, most balanced and noble expression of the pack with a medium influence of the cask (18 months) on rather dark wood. At the core of this complexity I am getting  dark fruits (cherry, plum, cake soaked with Port, rum raisins), dried fruit, cotton candy sweetness and Asian spices (incl. sandalwood) paired with white and black pepper – all in this subtle and deep manner, really amazing and flawless. 92+ points.

Glenglassaugh 39 y.o. Massandra Collection 1972 Sherry Style Finish, 53,3%

The cask influence on this whisky is rather discrete. However this fruity and slightly dry Glassa is a banana bomb. Really, I have never tasted a whisky more Chiquita than this one (not even old Tomintoul), it reminds me of the Arcane rum somehow or even resembles a banana milk shake in taste. And these notes grow bigger with time. Before embarking on the banana boat there was lemon zest, apple and pear (in a dextrose-like crystalline way), ginger, white pepper, lavender and jasmine. What a fun dram, yet not my favourite 1972 Glenglassaugh. 90 points.

Glenglassaugh 39 y.o. Massandra Collection 1973 Aleatico Finish, 50,7%

This is the most expressive and unusual one in the bunch, rather spicy (chili, black pepper)with dry tannins. It comes across winey, also a bit like a Spanish Brandy. Does this come from the sweet wine made from formerly Italian grapes? There are aromas of coffee, canned milk, beef jerky, nougat crème, dark fruits (raisins, cherries, dried apricots), toffee and woody notes (resin, tannin). The Aleatico is hard to judge because it is so full of life yet not as round as other old Glassas. The spices prevent the subtle dextrose-like fruitiness to unfold. Some might love it, some will find it okayish and interesting. Let’s settle at 89+ points, some might go higher here.

Glenglassaugh 39 y.o. Massandra Collection 1973 Muscat Finish, 44,1%

I expected the least of this one because I am not a fan of the wine not this way of finishing. And at my first whiff I felt reassured: there were rosewater, petals, litschi, all quite unusual for this distillery. But there was more and I saw that I judged too quickly: the flowery notes from the wine finish went away after a minute and gave room for the most stunning ‘1960ies-Bowmore-esque’ profile I had in quite a while: cassis fruitiness, berries, wine gum, herbs of the Provence, forest walk (leafs, pine needles, etc.), lemon skin, pears, candy floss, canned milk, rising dough, caramel and vanilla, all discrete and in perfect balance. What an elegant surprise! 92 points.

Glenglassaugh 33 y.o. Massandra Collection 1978 Madeira Style Finish, 44,8%

The last one also doesn’t disappoint but has a greener and more malty profile with less fruit than its predecessors. Its aromas are based on dry and peppery elements, nettles, chili, ginger, smoke from burning pine needles and raisins. 89 points.

Summary: In a nutshell, this collection is great for Glenglassaugh connoisseurs who want to experience different vintages and the wood influence on their dram. None of these whiskies is a let-down, but I clearly favour the noble 1967 Port version followed by the quaffable 1973 Muscat finish with its fruity tail. The Aleatico is for cowboys who like their dram wild and spicy, rum lovers will enjoy the 1972 Sherry most and the Speyside purists go for the Madeira from 1978. However, if you are new to vintage Glenglassaugh prior to the 1980ies, I recommend going for the recent 1972 releases (like the one from winter 2012/13 released for Germany which scored 93 points in my books) because they are more typical. Thanks to Andrea Caminneci for providing me with these nectars.

In meinem Artikel ‚Beer goes Barley‘ erfahrt Ihr die Hintergründe. Klickt auf den folgenden Bierglas-Link, um Euch diese beiden raren Abfüllungen zu sichern:

Please click the link above (line, not image) for the my new article for the Malt Maniacs. As some restructuring of their pages is going on, this e-pistle is first published here. Enjoy!

Stuart Nickerson and Peter Krause

At the end of our wonderful visit at Glenglassaugh Distillery, Managing Director Stuart Nickerson held a nice and very generous tasting session. Among many drams (e.g. New Make, a young Californian Zinfandel Cask and an incredibly mature Bourbon Cask from 2009), about which I am going write soon in an article about the visit, he let me try the new 45 y.o. and two real stunner cask samples that will be released soon. They have just been filled into bottles some days ago. My intention is to inform you in time so that you can get your wallets ready and make an ‚early-bird-order‘ not to miss them, because they absolutely are Must-Have-Drams.

What a View!

These whiskies really left me speechless – again the case with old Glenglassaugh. Like old Bowmore, Lochside, BenRiach or Longmorn, they display a complexity, cristalline fruit and smooth texture which is only to be found in legendary bottlings from the past.

Old Cask in the Warehouse

Despite their age no woodiness occurs in these masterpieces that are surprisingly light on their feet. Here are some quick notes I could take:

Glenglassaugh 1975 – 2011, 36 y.o. (Over 30 years old-Series) Sauternes Cask Finish, Cask No. R10/02/01, 43,00%, 280 Bottles

Comment: A very unique style that is owed to 18 months in Sauternes wood after the regular maturation in a Sherry Cask. Reminiscences of the 1964 Bowmore Fino Sherry come to mind – overripe fruits led by pineapple and passion fruit meet Creme Brulee. The traces of fine Sauternes noble rot grapes enhance this ‚uber-fruitiness‘ even more. It gets you addicted with every sip you take. Wow!

Score: 93+

Glenglassaugh 1972 Sherry Cask No. 2900 (to be bottled in 2012, maybe by Andrea Caminneci, Germany)

Comment: This is a sister cask of Andrea Caminneci’s 2010 bottling, which is promising for a start. After pouring it needs time to develop – it is tightly-knit – but after some minutes it becomes quite expressive and shows the profile described in the

Glenglassaugh Still(wo)men

introduction. Lead aromas are plum, cherry, exotic fruit, marzipan and almonds. It is hard to say if it is better or worse in comparison to the Sauternes-finished 1975, we are in a really high league here. I call it almost a tie, but the unusual style of the 1975 settles the fight.

Score: 93

Glenglassaugh 45 y.o. / 1966 OB Decanter, Refill Sherry Hogshead, 49,2%

Comment: This already released beauty might have a much higher price than the predecessors will cost but keeps the promises and fully delivers pure drinking joy. It is not fully on a par with the 40/41 y.o. release from the year(s) before, but it comes really close (a statement agreed to by Stuart Nickerson) and in a similar style (see my notes of the 40/41 y.o. here on www.slowdrink.de or use fellow Malt Maniac Serge’s recent descriptions on both on www.whiskyfun.com). Simply put, it is old style Sherry-casked whisky at its finest. Name an aroma and you will find it in this amazing dram.

Glenglassaugh 30 and 45 y.o. Decanters

I will post more detailed notes about it – and about Andrea Caminneci’s new bottling – right here when my sample from The Whisky Show will be delivered to my house by my friend Michael (along with White Bowmore, Auchentoshan 1957, Springbank 1968, Isle of Skye 50 y.o. and other monsters). How could we all have ignored these old Glenglassaugh Malts in the past? A crying shame.

Score: 94

New Legends in the Making - Glenglassaugh's Spirit Safe (the only one with beach view in Scotland)

1) Ledaig 1998 for Malts of Scotland, 13 y.o. around 59% – exact dates coming soon (no label exists yet)

A wonderful drinking whisky in the peated genre – only few people wouldn’t put this on Islay in a blind tasting. This expression is significantly older and more mature than the recent Berry Bros. & Rudd releases of Ledaig, but surprisingly also a bit less complex. However, it still is a buy for me at a fair price – but hurry, these are quite limited- This is the second half of a Sherry Butt 800025, 256 btl. released by MoS in 2010.

Score: 88+

2) Maggie Miller’s new Port Ellen for the Scotch Single Malt Circle, 1982, 28 y.o., Cask 2860, 63,6%

This is a classic Port Ellen but nothing expressive or magical to it. Straight and honest bottling here, but not a must-have.

Score: 87

3) Bunnahabhain 1991 SSMC, 18 y.o. Sherry Cask 5447, 312 bottles, 54%

This SSMC bottling is a real stunner and worth more than the PE in my eyes – drink more Bunnahabhain, guys, there are beauties out there. This is wonderfully sherried and perfectly aged. People drank this big sweetie quickly at my stand.

Score: 90

And if you like your Ex-Sherry Bottlings even more complex and ‚old-time‘ get Maggie’s bang for a buck:

4) SSMC Glenlossie 1984, 25 y.o. , Sherry Cask 2534, 60%

L_O_V_E    I_T ! It is as good as  e.g. old Glenfarclas bottlings around the age of 30 and reminds me of classic mature Speyside Whisky from way back…the ones we hunt for at auctions. No offnote here, this is a classic! Don’t miss out on it! A big recommendation and this article’s second-highest score!

Score: 90+

5) Bunnahabhain 1997 – 2010 Octave (Duncan Taylor) for Malts and More, Sherry, 51,2%

This is a peated version that many people liked: big Sherry meets peat and Bunnahabhain’s style adds to the combo. More on primary notes but punchy and well-priced – another ‚easy-to-sip peater‘ like the Ledaig MoS. Mention our name to our friend Thomas Mansen for a little discount on this one.

Score: 87+

6) Glenglassaugh 1978 for Villa Konthor, 32 y.o., 46,2%

This I could try at the Whisky Agency stand, it was bottled for Villa Konthor (which we inaugurated in its basement with a memorable Slowdrink.de-Event!). A well-made Glenglassaugh, but not as magic as others from that time, rather fruit-driven with malty and woody sidekicks. But this is nit-picking: undoubtledly great whisky.

Score: 89+

7) Glen Grant 1972 MoS, 38 y.o., Sherry Hogshead Nr. 8235, 148 btl., 48,2%

Despite a different cask type, it resembles the style of the 1969 Lonach from my tasting (see article about Biberach tasting), which was also 38 y.o. – this one is a bit more fragile and not as strong on the mid-palate, but the complexity is just as great. Mature whisky of a fine distillery.

Score: 90-

8) Laphroaig 1996 – 2010, ‚Rolf’s No. 2‘, 14 y.o., matured in Bourbon Cask, finished in ex-Springbank Sherry Bloodtub, 66 btl., 58%

Last but not least, my favourite find of the day: this Laphroaig has been finished in an Ex-Spingbank Sherry Bloodtub which Rolf had bottled before as his ‚No. 1‘ (89/100). It has all the elements of a powerful Laphroaig plus another dimension given by the Sherry, perfectly integrated and without the blue-cheese that often goes with it in sherried Laphroaigs. Great balance, secondary and tertiary aromas have developed, rendering a wonderful maturity – therefore it is high quality stuff and dangerously drinkable! It somehow is bigger than other Laffis from that time. Mmmmmh. I could convince Rolf to sell me bottle 6/66

Score: 91-

Do you remember the old days, when Glenglassaugh was „just“ another closed distillery with an odd name to us. Many connoisseurs have enjoyed the Family Silver bottling (89 points), the more maniacal guys savoured the chocolate-praline-like Wilson & Morgan Sherry editions, and some freaks even drank some of the rare  independent bottler’s Glassaughs of that time (Jack Wieber’s, SMWC, Signatory Silent Stills, etc.). All these were really good, but not mindblowing.

… wonder:

Three years ago, Carsten Ehrlich from the Whisky Fair sent me a sample of their new 1965 Glenglassaugh 40 y.o. and I thought he was fooling me. This baby tasted like an old Bowmore concerning the berry-like fruitiness, but it had a slightly different backbone with less coastal stylistics. What a dram that was (92+ points)! I bought three bottles and wondered what heights Glenglassaugh drams could reach and what versatility they have.

… splurge:

A year later, I met Stuart Nickerson behind the Caminneci-stand at the Finest Spirits-Festival in Munich. Aside from the very nice conversation we had about the takeover by the ‚Sceant Group‘,who bought the distillery and the remaining casks and soon will have a 3 y.o. (the ‚legal‘ age for whisky in Scotland), I discovered what crazy casks there still lay in the Glenglassaugh warehouse.

Andrea and Stuart gave me the massively complex 30-year-old (light color) which surprised me with a freshness of lemony and tropical fruits and almost no wood presence in the spirit – a real winner (91 points).

However, the Lionel Messi on the Glassaugh-team is the rare 40-/41-year old from 1967. Dark in color and even deeper than all the Lochs in Scotland combined, it ranks among the very best drams available, Champions-League! Reminiscenses of Black Bowmore come to mind, a dense elixir at a high price of about 1.450 Euro (96 points).

The new 21-year-old also is a very recommendable dram for fruit-lovers in its own style (90 points).

Later, Andrea Caminneci imported a 1973 cask that had the wrong age on the decanter (30 instead of 34/35 y.o.) in a rosewood-box, but it was even better than the great 30 y.o. (93 points for this Single Cask with high abv). Then, I tried the older Manager-bottlings … again, stunner after stunner.

So I bought them all! Who needs food, fuel, fashion and other less important things in life when you can have such drams? Glenglassaugh even engraved the decanter and the glasses for me. And would I do it again? Hell, yes! My fellow maniac Serge should retaste them, I can’t relate to some of his scores for Glenglassaugh Whisky – but let’s not forget: Taste is always personal and not debatable.

… travel:

If you have followed our sweepstake for two Scotland trips last week (the winners were akready notified), you have read about our ‚Beer meets Barley‘ idea. Late September, we are going to bring two Ayinger sweet dark beer casks to Glenglassaugh and the Scottish Liqueur Centre, empty them at a Barbecue with some of these crazy Scots and refill them with whisky (Islay and Glenglassaugh). The beer-finished drams will be available in February 2012 straight from the cask at the Munich Finest Spirits Festival. Indeed, a Bavarian-Scottish jointventure. We will also be able to try some of the wonderful    drams yet to come. I just hope, I am not returning with a cask of my own. If I did, my wife would definitely finish me – and I don’t mean remature or enhance!

Ouch!

Da solltet Ihr Euer Glück versuchen…zum Relaunch der Slowdrink-Seite gibt es gleich ein Zuckerl: Ihr fahrt mit dem Finest Spirits-Team, Glenglassaugh (vertreten durch Andrea Caminneci), Ayinger, verschiedenen Experten und slowdrink.de gratis vom 28.9. – 2.10.2012 nach Schottland – ein langes Wochenende, das es in sich haben wird.

Unter anderem werden zwei Ex-Starkbierfässer mit reifem Glenglassaugh und einem Islay-Dram befüllt, um Whiskys mit bayerischem Finish zu kreieren. Diese Lederhosen-Drams werden dann am Munich Whisky & Bar Festivasl 2012 aus dem Fass erhältlich sein und die Festival-Edition ergeben. Wir haben also eine verantwortungsvolle Aufgabe, guten Grundstoff auszuwählen.

Ebenso ist ein Whisky-Tasting im Steam Train (!!!) und ein ausführlicher Besuch bei Glenglassaugh und dem Scottish Liqueur Centre geplant. Bei einem anfänglichen Barbecue müssen außerdem die Bierfässer geleert werden (wieder eine Aufgabe). Mehr wird noch nicht verraten. Im Großen und Ganzen: Beer meets Barley!

Was müsst Ihr zur Teilnahme tun? Einfach auf das Glenglassaugh-Logo klicken, dort ist dann alles beschrieben. Die Gewinnchance ist wirklich groß, wir drücken Euch die Daumen!

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