A Scottish ‘Batch Strength’ Maritime Sherry Bomb at a bargain basement price? Yes please…Make way for a very LIMITED and SPECIAL BOTTLING…The Glenglassaugh Coastal Vintage 2011.
The Glenglassaugh Coastal Vintage is a specially crafted blend of 8-year-old Sherry Casks aged a literal stones-throw from the waters of the Burn of Fordyce, bottled at the batch strength of 53.7% with absolutely nothing added. The coastal influence is immediately apparent in this fantastic whisky as a salty foil to the sweet sherry goodness.
The Glenglassaugh Coastal Vintage 2011 has been selling at specialty bottle shops and bars, at $160-plus dollars. The SMWC will be dramming on this superb whisky for the even-superb-er price of $129.
February sees us dramming back to Bonnie Wee Scotland with a Highland whisky from Glenglassaugh Distillery. A limited-edition special bottling from a distillery that’s certainly had its share of hardships over the years.
With 8 years of seaside sherry-maturation, the Coastal Vintage 2011 is a sherry bomb with a definite maritime twist.
So a dramming we go to bonnie wee Scotland with a Highland whisky from Glenglassaugh Distillery. A limited-edition special bottling from a distillery that’s certainly had its share of hardships over the years. With 8 years of seaside sherry-maturation, the Coastal Vintage 2011 is a sherry bomb with a definite maritime twist.
The Glenglassaugh Coastal Vintage series is blended from same-vintage casks especially selected by Glenglassaugh Master Bender Rachel Barrie. Now, we aren’t the first people to stock this one in Australia- it’s been in a few specialty bottle shops and bars. But we feel that this superb whisky has flown somewhat ‘under the radar’ since its release last year, with nary a social media mention. I was offered a taste a little while ago and my first thought was – ‘why haven’t I even heard of this release until now’? But it doesn’t matter- because found it we have, and here it is! And it’s a stunner!
What is this ‘Batch Strength’ you speak of? Well I had to ask that as well. It’s a term that’s being used more frequently in whisky, and it really has no strict definition. The nearest definition I can come up with (after asking around) is “The ideal strength the liquid should be bottled at, according to the distiller”. So… higher than ’normal’, but not actually cask strength. I guess there’s a cool-looking marketing type somewhere to thank for that.
The Coastal Vintage 2011 is a testament to this distillery’s commitment to producing whiskies of exceptional quality and character. The coastal location of the Glenglassaugh distillery lends a distinctive influence on the whisky, infusing it with briny, maritime notes that complement the sweetness and richness imparted by the sherry casks.
Through a meticulous production process and careful cask selection, this expression captures the essence of the coastal landscape and the rich, fruity flavours that have become synonymous with Glenglassaugh. Whether enjoyed neat or with a splash of water, this whisky is sure to delight discerning whisky enthusiasts.
OUR TASTING NOTES
Nose: A delicious nose that you can (I did!) sit and sniff happily for ages. All the lush fruitiness and sweet toffee and caramel you could ask for, and more… honey, nougat, biscuit spices to boot.
Palate: A medium rush of white pepper hits the palate fast on first sip but is immediately quenched by a wall of thick, sweet and viscous fruit mince, there’s pastry notes too with honey, brown sugar and black coffee making itself known. There is a suggestion of saltiness on the palate
Finish: The absolute definition of a long lasting, chewy finish that keeps on giving and giving. Rolling waves of sweet fruit mince, vanilla and sultanas crash on a salty foreshore of salted navy coffee and salt-water taffy.
Such a luxurious whisky I’m absolutely amazed at how long this one has sailed out of sight of the whisky crowd down under. It’s absolutely bloody marvellous with all those big sherry driven notes in this massively fruit-forward whisky. The twist of salt is the perfect counter to the sweetness of the fruit. If you were paying twice the price for this you wouldn’t be disappointed! In fact – maybe that’s this whiskies only problem – it’s just not expensive enough to grab the eye of the ‘experts’.
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FROM GLENGLASSAUGH
After eight years in Sherry casks, this stunning whisky has taken on a long silken finish that is reminiscent of the finest toffee. It successfully captures all the spices without taking on an aggressive burn or becoming musty and overly sweet. It’s a line few sherry casks have walked successfully, and this by far stands among the greats of the category! The Coastal Vintage captures an old-world charm. Its highly perfumed nose doesn’t smell anything close to the 53.7% ABV; there’s a heady rush of honey, toffee, and tobacco that enraptures the senses.
The Glenglassaugh Coastal Vintage belongs on any enthusiast’s shelf; it truly captures all the positive influences of a sherry cask without inheriting any negative influences. This whisky has been crafted and has passed through some of the finest palates in the business, it is a true masterstroke. One glass is barely enough!
Appearance: Slightly burnished gold with a bronze fade upon tilt within the glass.
Nose: Deep Toffee, Manuka Honey, caramelised brown sugar, white rose, bluebell, aged sherry, soft gingerbread spice, cedarwood, oak, white peach, vanillin, cigar box, mince pie, candied figs,
Palate: Toffee, dried apricot, leatherwood honey, French vanilla, soft pipe tobacco, gingerbread spice, raisins, latent smoke, lightly sweetened dark chocolate, earthy, oak.
Finish: Long and lingering finish, sits entirely on the mid palate and tantalises you with lingering soft spice and vanilla, eventually fading out to a fresh manuka honey.
Jake Walker, The Spirit Baron – has this to add:
Upon pouring a dram of The Glenglassaugh Coastal Vintage 2011 8-year-old Sherry Cask, one is greeted with a rich, amber hue that hints at the depth of flavours to come. On the nose, aromas of ripe fruits, including plums, cherries, and apricots, mingle with hints of oak, vanilla, and a subtle brininess that evokes memories of the sea.
The palate is equally rewarding, with a luscious, velvety texture that carries flavours of dark chocolate, dried fruits, and warm spices. The influence of the sherry casks is unmistakable, contributing layers of sweetness and complexity that is balanced by a touch of coastal saltiness. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving behind lingering notes of caramel, oak, and a gentle warmth that invites another sip.
Conclusion:
The Glenglassaugh Coastal Vintage 2011 8-year-old Sherry Cask is a testament to the distillery’s commitment to producing whiskies of exceptional quality and character.
Through a meticulous production process and careful cask selection, this expression captures the essence of the coastal landscape and the rich, fruity flavours that have become synonymous with Glenglassaugh.
Whether enjoyed neat or with a splash of water, this whisky is sure to delight discerning whisky enthusiasts.
ABOUT GLENGLASSAUGH
In 1875, businessman James Moir and coppersmith Thomas Wilson joined forces to establish The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company with the aim of constructing and managing a new distillery near Portsoy at Sandend Bay. However, after 18 years, the distillery faced a downturn in the market and was sold to Highland Distillers. Struggling with the challenging market conditions, Glenglassaugh had to close its doors in 1907 and remained inactive for 53 years. Brief re-openings occurred in the 1930s and 1960, responding to a rising demand for Scotch malt whisky.
Despite attempts to revive Glenglassaugh, the distillery faced closure again in 1986 due to difficulties in blending its unique whisky and an oversupply in the market during the 1980s whisky loch era. Considered a permanent casualty, many doubted the possibility of its reopening.
In 2006, Stuart Nickerson, former distilleries manager at William Grant & Sons, founded Stewart Galbraith Distillers Ltd, later renamed The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company in 2007. Backed by the Russian firm Scaent Group, they successfully purchased Glenglassaugh in 2008. Despite challenges such as a limited stock and mostly immature spirit, the distillery turned a profit within three years of reopening, surpassing expectations by four years. Its success was attributed to a dedicated international fan base and the innovative decision to offer immature casks of spirit to private customers.
After restoring Glenglassaugh to a thriving business and preventing its permanent closure, Scaent Group sold the distillery to The BenRiach Distillery Co. in 2013. The distillery became the third under the operation of Billy Walker’s company, alongside Benriach and Glendronach. In 2016, Brown-Forman, the producer of Jack Daniel’s, acquired Glenglassaugh along with its sister distilleries.
