Review by: The Muskox
That’s right, I went to the Jack Rose and all I tried was this widely-available $80 whisky. I ain’t made of money, and I was more interested in their Happy Hour hamburger anyways.
This is one I’ve been meaning to try for a while, as I visited the town of Portsoy last summer. It’s a beautiful stretch of coastline, enhanced by unreasonably perfect sunny weather during my visit.
Distillery: Glenglassaugh.
Bottler: Official bottling.
Region/Style: Highland single malt.
ABV: 49.1%.
Age: No age statement.
Maturation: Moderately peated. Matured in a combination of bourbon, sherry, and port casks.
Price: $80 locally. $12 for a pour at the Jack Rose.
Nose: The first thing to hit is earthy, woodsy, almost slightly farmy peat smoke. Like the mainland version of Raasay. Beneath the peat is rich sweetness: juicy red fruits, roasted apples, buttery French toast dusted with cinnamon.
Palate: Medium body. Arrives with stonefruit, milk chocolate, and building black pepper. Develops to spicy and woody smoke. Cedar bark, applewood, burnt sugar, and dates.
Finish: Medium-length. Lingering peat, though milder, replaced by fudgy rich vanilla. Some black pepper. Strawberry jam, banana, and chai spices.
Conclusion: Part of me wonders why I would buy a bottle of this when, in my opinion, Benromach does this same profile with much better richness and complexity. Well, the more important point is that the standard Benromachs are bottled at 43%, but the Glenglassaugh bottles are so much better looking that that may come into play too!
Final Score: 82.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 