Every so often, a bottle lands in my lap that I never would have reached for on my own, and it turns out to be a genuine surprise. That was exactly the case with the Glenglassaugh Sandend, a no-age-statement single malt matured in a combination of bourbon, sherry, and manzanilla casks and bottled at a healthy 50.5% ABV.
A buddy of mine, Rob, gifted this one to the channel, and I owe him a thank you because I probably would have walked right past it at the LCBO. Nothing about it initially drew me in, and that is a shame, because whiskies like this get overlooked far too often when you have your eyes set on specific names.
Glenglassaugh is not a distillery I chase very frequently, and unfortunately they are going through some tough times right now. From what I understand, Glenglassaugh has moved to a shared production model with another Brown-Forman-owned distillery, Benriach. This could mean that availability is going to be thin. That makes a bottle like this even more worth grabbing while you still can. So consider this my case for why you should not let it slip by.
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On the nose, this whisky is genuinely beautiful. There is a wave of tropical fruit, which I always seem to associate with this golden colour, alongside a light honey note and a soft cereal quality that honestly reminded me of Honey Nut Cheerios. There is vanilla, a touch of pineapple cream almost like a pineapple pie, and the faintest whisper of red fruit hiding underneath. It is an inviting, welcoming pour before you even take a sip.
The palate is where things get interesting. It starts all honey and cereal, then finishes with a distinct cherry influence, which is kind of crazy considering how pale the whisky looks. There is a salty edge that gives me that manzanilla vibe and a sweet tail that screams cherry cask. The viscosity is lovely and there is nothing hot about it whatsoever.
If someone poured this for me blind, I would confidently call it a quality bourbon cask malt, with those other casks playing a subtle supporting role. I would even set it up head to head with an Arran 10 Year Old for a fun comparison.
At close to CA$100, this is an easy pour and play whisky that also makes a very nice gift. I am giving it an 86, and I would happily buy it again. For the money, I do not think you can go wrong. What is your take on Glenglassaugh, and have you managed to snag a bottle of the Sandend yet?
To see my full tasting, check out my YouTube video.
Read the full article at Why the Glenglassaugh Sandend Deserves Your Attention Before It Disappears
