First opened in 1875, Glenglassaugh Distillery stands at the east end of Sandend bay overlooking the North Sea in Scotland’s Speyside region. Originally built by local entrepreneur and businessman James Moir, Glenglassaugh returns to its glory under the current guardianship of whisky veteran Billy Walker and the BenRiach Whisky Company, which purchased the distillery in 2013. Through U.S. importer, Anchor Distilling Company in San Francisco, American whisky enthusiasts get their first taste of Glenglassaugh expressions with the introduction of five single malt whiskies: Revival, Evolution, Torfa, 30 Year Old, and 40 Year Old.
Bearing its own coat of arms – granted in 2009 – and motto (“Per Mare Per Terras” – By Sea and Land), Glenglassaugh boasts an illustrious history of whisky production that, like many of its kind, includes dark days when the distillery was mothballed due to the vagaries of the whisky market (which came to an end when production restarted in 2008). In his quest to bring back some of Scotland’s iconic distilleries, Walker returns Glenglassaugh to its glory days, producing complex whiskies full of character that reflect the brininess of the barrels garnered from the location’s sea air. The Glenglassaugh selection also reflects older as well as new expressions that don’t carry an age statement.
“Glenglassaugh has a rich and varied history. I am delighted that the distillery is now under the expert stewardship of Billy Walker and his company. Anchor Distilling Company is committed to bringing the finest examples of premium spirits to discerning U.S. consumers. I look forward to sharing this fine malt with our friends and customers,” says David King, president of Anchor Distilling.
“We have effectively two sides to Glenglassaugh – the pre-shutdown version and the modern version,” says Alistair Walker, regional sales director of the BenRiach Whisky Company. “We have very old whisky from Glenglassaugh, which is really quite special as we have inherited the most fantastic mature stocks ranging from 1963 to 1986. And we have the newer, non-age statement expressions, crafted from whiskies that have been produced since the distillery re-opened. The next few years should be a very interesting period in the history of this distillery.”
REVIVAL
The Glenglassaugh ‘Revival’ is the first Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the re-born Glenglassaugh distillery. The Revival is matured in combination of red wine casks and ex-bourbon barrels, finished in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts for a period of six months. Non-chill filtered and of natural color, a Highland Single Malt with a coastal charm. Strength: 46%ABV. Suggested Retail Price: $64.99.
EVOLUTION
Evolution is an exclusive series from single variety oak cask styles. This expression was matured in first fill ex-George Dickel Tennessee Whisky barrels and shows great depth of character and finesse, a harmonious combination of whisky and oak. Bottled at natural color and non-chill filtered. Strength: 50% ABV. Suggested Retail Price: $79.99.
TORFA (PEATED)
Glenglassaugh Torfa is a unique expression with its peaty, phenolic nature, and is quite different from the usual style of whisky produced in the Highlands. Torfa, referring to the Old Norse word for peat, is a brooding, edgy character, whose personality is to be found at the darker end of the spectrum. Non-chill filtered and natural color. Strength: 50% ABV. Suggested Retail Price: $74.99.
GLENGLASSAUGH 30 YEAR OLD
Glenglassaugh 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the first expression released by the new owners, and was fully matured in refill Oloroso sherry butts. Non-chill filtered and natural color. Strength: 44.8%, ABV. Suggested Retail Price: $499.99.
GLENGLASSAUGH 40 YEAR OLD
Glenglassaugh 40 Years Old, specially selected by Master Distiller Billy Walker, is an outstanding representation of this rare and enduring Highland single malt. Maturation includes a mix of ex-bourbon barrels, European oak hogsheads, Pedro Ximinez sherry puncheons and Oloroso sherry butts. Non-chill filtered and natural color. Bottled at 42.5%. Suggested Retail Price: $3,000.
For more information on Glenglassaugh or distribution, visit AnchorDistilling.com.
