Glenglassaugh 12 Year Old - 70cl/45%

Distillery History:
Glenglassaugh sits on the Highland coast at Sandend, built in 1875 by James Moir, silent for long stretches and restarted in 2008. It joined the BenRiach group in 2013 and Brown-Forman in 2016. Rachel Barrie is master blender. The style is coastal fruit. The core line includes Sandend, Portsoy, the 12-year-old and the newer 15. The 12 was the earlier return to an age statement after the restart.

Whisky Introduction:
At least twelve years married from bourbon, sherry and red wine casks. Bourbon brings vanilla, sherry fig, the wine casks cherry and light tannin, all over a sea breeze. 45%, official colour a luminous gold. Versus the 15, which uses Pedro Ximénez and Spanish wine, this is lighter, with clearer tropical fruit and apricot and less chocolate and coffee.

Tasting Notes:
Nosing: Ripe apricot, fig, toasted vanilla and tropical flowers.
Palate: Candied pistachio, date, sweet fig and morello cherry.
Finish: Whipped cream and coastal air.