Glenglassaugh release extremely rare 51 year old expression.

Glenglassaugh 51yoGlenglassaugh today announced the launch of the extremely rare Glenglassaugh 51 Year Old single malt.Master Distiller Billy Walker specially selected the whisky which he describes as rich and flavoursome, it was distilled and filled to Bourbon Cask No. 3301 back on February 15th 1963. It lay slowly maturing in Glenglassaugh’s coastal warehouses at Portsoy for over 51 years until it was bottled on May 14th 2014. The Glenglassaugh 51 Year Old is one of the oldest casks in the Glenglassaugh inventory and they tell me the rare whisky brilliantly captures Glenglassaugh’s unique Highland coastal character.

Founded in 1875 by local entrepreneur James Moir, Glenglassaugh was mothballed for over twenty years, lying silent and forgotten until production was re-started in 2008. It was taken over by BenRiach last year and the distinctive fruity character of its whisky is just beginning to be rediscovered by single malt whisky drinkers.

Master Distiller Billy Walker commented: “We’ve inherited some extraordinarily fine whisky at Glenglassaugh. It’s a real treasure trove and the 51 years old is the oldest bottling ever released from Glenglassaugh…and it is of unbelievable quality.

“It’s a gorgeous Glenglassaugh – a silky, sublime balance of fruits and herbs mingling seductively with astonishingly refined oaken notes. Put simply, it is elegance personified.”

The one-off rare whisky was bottled at cask strength, 41.7% ABV, non-chill filtered and with no colour added, this is truly an exceptional dram. A limited release of only 191 bottles, the Glenglassaugh 51 Years Old is presented in a beautiful wooden box, hand-crafted in Scotland. Each bottle is hand-numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Billy Walker.

Glenglassaugh 51 Year Old Tasting Notes
Producer’s Tasting Notes:Colour: Rich mahogany holds a deep crimson edge.

Nose: Fascinating depths and layers develop from figs and prune syrup to delicate apricot and hints of blackberry. All carry invitingly subtle soft Belgian chocolate and intriguing hints of roast coffee.

Taste:  The exclusive mellow yet full-bodied character gives a rich, complex symphony of red fruit preserve, touches of treacle and the slightest mountain herb influence. Gentle clove oil, distant sour cherries and the softest peppery oak add a memorable sophistication to this rare vintage.

Finish: The rarity of the vintage mirrors the rarity of the unique characteristics of the whisky. Combining many facets of its ever-changing nature as it opens on the palate, the style and elegance of this rare whisky are to be savoured.