Glenglassaugh Port Wood Finish

I picked up a bottle of this basically as an add-on to another online order because I was interested in a non-peated, port finished whisky that I could “crush” on those days I choose to drink quantity over quality. I figured this bottle would fit that bill quite well...but, it didn’t really work out that way. This Glenglassaugh is a NAS whisky finished in undisclosed port wine casks and was bottled at a robust 46% ABV. I paid just shy of $65 for it. It’s slightly amber/deep gold in color and there’s indication of a significant amount of water added due to tons of legs and lots of oily droplets left behind after a thorough spin in the Glencairn. The nose is caramel candies, toffee butter and very sweet. There’s light vine fruits indicating the main maturation period was in ex-sherry casks, but there are some nice wine notes and color here to indicate Port finishing. Something smelled borderline artificial, however. The palate was again overrun with toffee and caramel flavors, albeit velvety smooth and sickly sweet. Vanilla and sherry notes arrive mid sip and turn the mouthfeel somewhat thick. Light oak notes and a funky dryness appear late, too. The finish is short to medium, smooth as hell, but still buttery and overly sweet. A dessert dram for sure. I have mixed feelings about the whole experience: the sweetness plays well if that’s what you’re down for, but I can only take 1-2oz at a time before I’m ready to move on to something with some teeth. Overall, a 3.5 star dram that could be a 4 on certain days, but maybe 2.5 if you drink too much in one sitting. It just goes sugary sweet awfully fast. Give it a try in a bar or get a pour from a friend before plopping down $65 for a full bottle. Cheers.