Nestled on the picturesque Moray Firth coast of Scotland, the Glenglassaugh Distillery is a remarkable example of the rich heritage and resilient spirit of Scotch whisky production. Founded in 1875, the distillery has witnessed periods of flourishing production, followed by long stretches of silence, only to be revived and celebrated in the 21st century.
Historical Roots
Glenglassaugh Distillery was established by Colonel James Moir and his two nephews in 1875. Situated near the town of Portsoy, the distillery's location was chosen for its proximity to pristine water sources and high-quality barley, essential ingredients for producing premium whisky. The name "Glenglassaugh" translates from Gaelic to "Valley of the Grey-Green Place," reflecting the distillery’s scenic surroundings.
In its early years, Glenglassaugh enjoyed considerable success, with its whisky being highly regarded for its distinctive Highland character. However, the Pattison crash in the late 1890s, a financial scandal that significantly impacted the entire Scotch whisky industry, led to turbulent times. Despite surviving the initial shock, Glenglassaugh eventually succumbed to economic pressures and ceased production in 1907.
A Dormant Period
The 20th century was a period of dormancy for Glenglassaugh. Although the distillery briefly reopened in 1931, it was shut down again within a few months. It wasn’t until 1959, over half a century later, that the distillery was resurrected by the Highland Distillers Company. This revival saw the installation of modern equipment and an increase in production capacity. Despite these improvements, Glenglassaugh struggled to establish a significant market presence and was mothballed once again in 1986, during one of the darkest periods in the Scotch whisky industry’s history.
Revival and Renaissance
The true renaissance of Glenglassaugh began in 2008 when the distillery was acquired by the Scaent Group, a Dutch investment company. Recognizing the potential of Glenglassaugh's rich heritage and prime location, the new owners embarked on a mission to restore the distillery to its former glory.
In 2013, the BenRiach Distillery Company – headed up by legendary whisky maker Billy Walker – acquired Glenglassaugh, further solidifying its revival. The new ownership, known for its expertise in managing and rejuvenating distilleries, brought additional resources and a renewed commitment to excellence. However, the distillery changed hands again in 2016 when Brown-Forman purchased Glenglassaugh, alongside its sister distilleries, Benriach and Glendronach. This transition marked a new chapter in Glenglassaugh’s history, with whisky now being overseen by master blender Rachel Barrie. The attraction of joining the company, according to Barrie, was variety. She says, “Getting to work with three unique distilleries that all have distinct differences means I am able to approach my work with them in distinctive ways to make them shine. I thrive on diversity, and the ‘power of three’ distilleries is the perfect balance of depth and breadth of flavour discovery and whisky creation. With Glenglassaugh specifically I’m hugely inspired by its sense of place with rolling waves of flavour.”
Unique Characteristics
The distillery's location on the scenic Moray Firth coast not only provides a stunning backdrop, but imparts a unique maritime influence to the spirit, often resulting in subtle saline notes that complement the rich, fruity character of the whisky. When asked what sets the distillery apart from its neighbours in terms of style and character, Barrie comments, “I describe Glenglassaugh as the coastal malt, not only because it sits on the shore of the breathtaking Sandend Bay, but because of its sweet, luscious and coastal character which is shaped by land and sea in our coastal warehouses as it matures. Glenglassaugh is delicious - like sea salted caramel, and it reminds me of learning to surf on the waves below the distillery as a child. Glenglassaugh brings the senses alive and allows our consumers to reconnect with nature.”
Since its revival, Glenglassaugh has released several noteworthy expressions that have garnered praise from whisky enthusiasts and critics. The recently relaunched core expressions include ‘Sandend’, ‘Portsoy’ and a 12 year old age statement. Building on this range, Barrie states, “the portfolio evolved further with the release of The Serpentine Coastal Cask Collection, a collection of old and rare cask bottlings dating back to the 1970s paying homage to Glenglassaugh’s coastal heritage. Taking its name from the precious serpentine marble found in the cliffs surrounding the distillery, the collection launched with three exceptional expressions. Each one - bottled from a single cask and individually numbered - is aged over 48 years old and captures the coastal spirit of the Highland whisky.”
Private Cask Sales
At the luxury end of the spectrum, the inventory at Glenglassaugh allows the distillery to offer casks of incredible rarity and age, with vintages going back to the early 1970s. When selecting these casks, Barrie says she looks for “that exquisite harmony between the influence of coastal maturation, the confluence of cask chemistry with our luscious, tropical new make spirit and just the right amount of alcohol, ensuring all these elements harmonise to make the most exquisite taste.” Commenting on the private casks for sale, she states, “The small number of casks I have chosen to be available for private clients are some of the most exceptional at the distillery. Each has been carefully monitored over time, it is sampled regularly to ensure that it is selected at the point when it has reached a peak in its maturation. I look for something which offers a unique and evocative experience, both on the nose and the palate. It is a remarkable experience to taste one of these incredibly old and rare casks. Each carries different stand-out characteristics of the coastal location of the distillery, with incredible and unique complexity.”
As exclusive agents for Glenglassaugh, we are incredibly proud to be able to offer these to our clients who are looking for a real hidden gem. If you are interested please do not hesitate to get in touch and we will gladly guide you through the process.