Glenglassaugh Launches Three Incredible Old Whiskeys

Unless you’re a seasoned Scotch drinker, there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Glenglassaugh. But it’s time to get to know him, as the under-publicized single malt producer has just released some of its earliest expressions yet.

The Serpentine Coastal Cask Collection is a trio of whiskeys aged between 48 and 51 years. While it’s hard to pronounce the producer’s name (Glen-glass-ah), these liquids are easy to enjoy. In fact, they might be some of the best value ultra-aged whiskeys we’ve come across all year. Here’s what they taste like and how much you’ll have to pay to crack them open.

Glenglassaugh’s house style is characterised by tropical fruit and sea water. Each of these three vintages dramatically amplifies these tones, relying on their own particular caskwork to create a unique result.

Glenglassaugh 48 Years Old

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48 Years Old is a bronze-colored whiskey matured for decades (began maturation May 28, 1974) in barriques formerly used to mature sweet Tuscan dessert wines. It smells of overripe orchard fruit and coats the palate with salty toffee. A slow and steady finish reveals lychee in a velvety 46.1% alcohol by volume (ABV) body. Priced at $7,700.

Glenglassaugh 49 Years Old

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Aged just over a year, the 49 Years Old is four percentage points lower in ABV. As such, it has a smoother flavor when you admire its aromatics in the glass. The coconut characteristics are immediately noticeable and come through on your tongue without any spice or burn. The tropical essence tasted here owes much to maturation in ex-bourbon barrels. You can find it retailing for $8,800 per bottle.

Glenglassaugh 51 Years Old

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Although old whiskey is not always the same better It’s hard to argue with the full-bodied superiority of the 51 Years Old, the elder statesman of the bunch. It’s matured in an oloroso sherry puncheon and packs the telltale signs of such barreling: raisins, dates, plums, stewed cherries, and a touch of balsamic vinegar. It’s bottled at 44.2% ABV and retails for $11,000. And while that may sound expensive—okay, yes, it is—we dare you to find another bottle of 50-plus-year-old Scotch for under $20,000.

This is not just any So is old whiskey.

“The heritage of our most sought-after casks dates back to the 1970s when these liquids were first produced, bringing together a wealth of natural colour and character,” says Rachel Barrie, Glenglassaugh’s master blender, the same renowned craftsman responsible for GlenDronach and Benriach single malts. “It’s extremely rare to find casks that have been left to mature in coastal locations for such a long time, and our warehouses, perched on the cliffs overlooking Sandend Bay, have stood as guardians of this ancient and rare liquid for over fifty years.”

As we’ve mentioned before, Glenglassaugh is almost criminally underrated. It has a venerable pedigree dating back to the late 1800s. Its master blender is one of the most celebrated maltsters in the business. And the terroir is as magnificent to sip as it is to see in person. Namely, the new releases are actually named after the serpentine marble that permeates the coastal cliffs not far beyond the distillery walls. Scotch fans who don’t dip their toes in this liquid are missing out. Their loss is your gain.

Related: The Best Sherry Bomb Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

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