Glenglassaugh

TURBULENT TIMES BRINGS THIS COASTAL HIGHLAND DISTILLERY INTO A NEW ERA

In the Highlands of Scotland, at the east end of the magestic Sandend Bay stands the Glenglassaugh Distillery. It is small and unassuming and its past paints a turbulent timeline of openings and closings, stopstarts and stalled progression, but today reveals a new era for this Highland Single Malt producer.

Founded in 1875 by Col. James Moir, Glenglassaugh was a small coastal outpost distillery that produced quality whiskies. Its success brought it to the attention of Highland Distillers and it was purchased in 1892, but 17 years later the distillery closed and remained so until 1931 when it reopened for a five year burst before closing down again. In 1960 it was completely rebuilt and experienced a prosperous 26 years in full production until it once again, it shut its doors in 1986. In 2008, the distillery’s fortune changed. It was bought by the Scaent Group, a group of investors who went about revitalising a distillery that many considered beyond resurrection.

This was the beginning of the new Glenglassaugh. Old vintages were released to the public that had been ageing in the dormant warehouses over its long period of closure. They gave a glimpse of the distillery’s turbulent history and on release received global praise. The long-aged whiskies were awarded Gold Medals and Trophies at the International Wine & Spirits Challenge for Best Cask Strength Malt and Best 40 year-old Malt. They were fresh, vibrant and exciting, and along with newly produced non-aged expressions, heralded in a new era for Glenglassaugh. The BenRiach Distillery Company took ownership of the revitalised distillery in 2013 with even further plans to nurture and develop the future of Glenglassaugh.

Glenglassaugh brings the best of its past and combines this with the sensibilities of modern distilling. It is produced to the highest standard with quality Scottish barley while employing traditional distilling methods. The key focus for Glenglassaugh is to be true to its roots and honour its style by continuing to handcraft its Scotch whisky in small batches resisting the common and convenient modern approach of automation. The finest casks are selected to mature slowly in the coastal warehouses on Sandend Bay.

Glenglassaugh, after unstable beginnings, now finds itself at the forefront of innovation and cutting edge distilling practices inspiring others in its path.

Since the distillery has been revitalised it has released Torfa Single Malt, its first peated whisky fully matured in ex-bourbon barrels and peated to 20ppm, and Evolution, a whisky matured in a unique combination of the finest hand-picked ex-Tennessee first-fill whiskey barrels. The future of Glenglassaugh is bright as it strides confidently into the 21st century with a new vigour and contemporary expression.

Glenglassaugh Distillery Tour

The distillery tour at Glenglassaugh is particularly special and worth a visit. Visitors walk through the distillery’s checkered history, are guided through the whisky making process and learn about the importance of place and proximity to the sea on the whisky. After viewing the casks in the distillery’s coastal warehouses, visitors are encouraged to enjoy a dram of the Glenglassagh signature whisky, Revival Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, while sitting on the beach, breathing in the sea air for the full sensory experience of Glenglassaugh.