LeeEvolved
Glenglassaugh Port Wood Finish
Single Malt — Highland, Scotland
Reviewed
July 7, 2018 (edited October 12, 2020)
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.
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@LeeEvolved Ah, that's a very clear way to put it. Thanks for the added detail :)
@ContemplativeFox - while I’ve had multiple bottles of AE over the years, the one thing I can say about it is that they all still reminded me of a quality bourbon. The sugary sweet aspect never overpowered that, which wasn’t the case with the Glen. I’d choose AE every time if I had to here.
Hmm, kind of sounds like Angel's Envy bourbon with that intensely sweet port. Wood you say that's a reasonable comparison (aside from being bourbon vs scotch)?
@Rick_M Stop giving my game plan away... :-)
@PBMichiganWolverine - don’t fall for @Soba45 ‘s diatribe. He’s trying to lull you into inactivity while he’s writing his ass off at some NZ whiskyfest.
@LeeEvolved Haha, cheers. I thought as such as I was like why would Mikael tell LE? Still there was a small part of me that thought I wonder if....but I was like even if it was true I'm not rushing things. Quite happy to ease off a bit going forward!
@Soba45 - don’t listen to these snake charmers. I don’t know anything about any major awards for hitting 500 reviews, err tastes. @mikael doesn’t tell me anything, lol.
@Soba45 - don’t take this award too lightly. You could be missing out on a new car.......or maybe just a slap on the back! :)
@rick_m @PBMichiganWolverine. Arghh don't tell me that Rick I'm trying to cut down and pace myself. I passed 500 last week, 502 I'm up to...sadly just in my spreadsheet not in distiller. I wonder if its reviews or tastes (without notes) as I think I was 487 or something on Distiller four the later I think....ah down the rabbit hole I go. No I will treat my liver with respect I have yet to show it and not try and down the 70 I have in store this weekend :-). Once every 2 years doing that at Dramfest is more than enough!
@Rick_M. I’m gonna speed drink. Will burst through 30 in one sitting.
@PBMichiganWolverine - I was told by a very reliable source (@LeeEvolved) that the first person to reach 500 tastes is going to receive a spectacular prize from @distiller or maybe somebody else. You’re at 477 but @Soba45 is sneaking up fast. @Joe_C has 455 and probably has another 50 ready to blast whenever it suits him. As your advisor, I suggest you quietly build a reserve and have it ready to go should any of these adversaries pose a legitimate threat. :)
@Rick_M no distiller award this year. I think this will be @Soba45 or @LeeEvolved
@PBMichiganWolverine better step up his game. @Soba45 is catching up fast. :)
Great review as always :-). I had 100 samples lined up on MoM and still 70 to go through here so I've decided drastic action was required otherwise the queue would just get longer and longer. Anything average is getting the chop from the next order such as this one!